Racing into 2025: What’s New in Formula 1 This Year?

Notable Rule Changes for the 2025 Formula 1 Season

 

Increase in maximum stewards used at 6 Grand Prix races

The FIA has implemented a significant modification to the stewarding system for select Formula 1 races in 2025. At six specific Grand Prix races, the panel will expand to include four officials instead of the standard three. These events, deemed “high workload” races, will take place in Australia, China, Canada, Singapore, Mexico, and Brazil.

One member of this enlarged panel will be designated as the chairman, selected from a group of individuals holding the FIA Super Licence for officials. It’s important to note that this licence differs from the one required for F1 drivers, which is earned through exceptional performance in lower racing categories.

This strategic adjustment aims to enhance the decision-making process during these particularly demanding race weekends, allowing for more thorough incident reviews and evidence gathering.

 

Elimination of the fastest lap bonus point

This rule occasionally allowed cars outside the top 10 to pit for fresh tyres and snatch the bonus point from another driver, even though they wouldn’t score any points themselves. However, due to the controversy this sometimes caused, it was decided to eliminate the fastest lap bonus from the scoring system this year.

Aside from this change, the points structure remains the same: the top 10 finishers in a Grand Prix will continue to score points, while in Sprint races, only the top eight will earn points.

 

Introduction of driver cooling systems

A new technology has been created for the 2025 season to allow the drivers to remain cool during races. In races where the temperature exceeds 31 degrees Celsius or above, the FIA will declare that teams are required to fit a mandated driver cooling system.

The concern from teams relating to the new driver cooling systems is the additional weight this adds to the car. However, additional weight limits have been added of an additional 2kg for practice, Qualifying and Sprint Qualifying sessions, but a total of +5kg for a Sprint or Grand Prix, to allow the teams to fit the base system to ease workloads.

 

 

Expanded track time for rookie drivers

In 2025, rookie drivers will enjoy double the track time during race weekends, enhancing their experience in Formula 1.

Building on a rule introduced in 2022, teams must now run a rookie driver in each car twice per season. This means four FP1 sessions per year where inexperienced drivers will participate, providing them with more opportunities to gain experience in current F1 cars.

 

Stricter regulations for DRS and wing flexibility

The FIA has implemented more stringent technical regulations for the 2025 Formula 1 season, focusing on rear wing designs and the Drag Reduction System (DRS). These changes aim to eliminate ‘mini-DRS’ concepts, where the upper elements of rear wings tilt backwards at high speeds to reduce drag. The DRS system is now restricted to operate in only two distinct positions: fully closed or fully open.

The regulations also include more rigorous testing of rear wing slot gaps, with the applied load increased from 10 to 30 newtons. Additional measures, pending approval by the F1 Commission, include new deflection limits for upper rear wings to minimise gaps between profiles and wing tips. Finally, stricter front wing deflection limits are set to be introduced from the Spanish Grand Prix (Round 9) onwards. These adjustments reflect the FIA’s commitment to maintaining fair competition and closing potential loopholes in aerodynamic regulations.

 

Restrictions on race drivers testing older cars

Last year, the Testing of Previous Car (TPC) regulations were adjusted to require teams to use components that had been used during at least one race weekend. This year, however, the changes focus on the drivers taking part in TPC sessions.

Teams are permitted up to 20 days of TPC running per calendar year, but their race drivers are restricted to participating in only four of those days. Additionally, race drivers are limited to a maximum of 1,000km of track time across all TPC sessions.

These restrictions apply solely to TPC activities, which involve cars that are at least two seasons old. They do not affect tyre testing or promotional events involving current cars. Furthermore, teams are only allowed to operate one TPC car on track during a test at any given time.

 

Modified test format for future tyre development

The Abu Dhabi end-of-season test will see changes this year to prepare for the 2026 regulations. The Young Driver Test will proceed as usual, but a second ‘mule’ car will be used to test 2026 tyre prototypes. These tyres will differ from the current Pirelli rubber in both size and specification, reflecting the expected performance of next-generation cars.

Teams can modify their 2025 car or any car from the past four seasons to serve as the mule car, allowing the tyre supplier to test future products under realistic conditions.

 

Revised qualifying and grid formation rules

The FIA has updated its regulations for the 2025 season to address potential disruptions to qualifying sessions. If weather or other conditions prevent qualifying, the grid will be determined by the current Drivers’ Championship standings. In cases where this is not possible, such as the first race of the season, stewards will decide the grid order.

For sessions where multiple drivers fail to set a time, the classification will be based on whether they started a flying lap. If ties remain, the order from the previous qualifying segment will be used. These changes aim to ensure fair and consistent grid formation under various circumstances.