Piastri hopeful FIA tweaks will restore normal feel to 2026 qualifying

Oscar Piastri says the FIA’s latest rule tweaks – a lower energy‑recharge cap and higher peak power – should bring qualifying back to the “special feeling” drivers missed, with the changes debuting at the Miami Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

• Qualifying defines the weekend; without the extra 1‑2 % margin, drivers lose the chance for surprise poles.
• The limits reward outright speed over battery‑management tricks.
• Restoring a back‑to‑normal feel could keep fan engagement high as F1 moves to hybrid‑heavy 2026.

The details:

• Energy cap cut – max recharge per lap down from 8 MJ to 7 MJ, tightening the battery budget.
• Peak power rise – boost jumps from 250 kW to 350 kW, applied in qualifying and race, encouraging flat‑out driving.
• Practice extension – Miami FP1 extended to 90 minutes, giving teams extra time to dial in the new settings.
• Driver feedback – Norris said the old rules muted the “special feeling” by rewarding mistakes with battery gains; Piastri hopes the tweaks restore the pure‑speed vibe.

What's next:

• The revised package will be tested at Miami; early data will guide whether further tweaks are needed before the season’s next sprint weekend.
• If qualifying times tighten and pole positions become less predictable, the FIA may keep the 7 MJ limit for the rest of 2026.
• Teams will scramble to balance the higher power output with tire wear and fuel consumption, reshaping strategy for the remaining races.