The FIA has removed curfew restrictions for Formula 1 teams ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix due to travel disruptions from the Middle East conflict. This change allows teams extra preparation time as they adapt to the new 2026 car regulations at Albert Park. Drivers and teams anticipate a challenging weekend with energy management and braking issues coming to the fore.
Formula 1's 2026 season kicks off this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, but teams face hurdles from the outset. The FIA announced on Wednesday that curfew restrictions, which normally limit personnel access to the circuit during specified periods before practice, will not apply for the first two restricted windows ahead of Free Practice 1 (FP1). This decision stems from force majeure caused by ongoing travel and freight disruptions linked to the latest conflict in the Middle East, which forced teams to reroute personnel and equipment, delaying some crew members by days.
The curfew periods typically begin 42 hours before FP1 and end 29 hours prior, followed by another from 18 hours to four hours before. Lifting these rules enables overnight work on Wednesday and Thursday to ready cars for Friday's track action. Meanwhile, the pitlane speed limit remains at 80km/h, despite rumors of a reduction to 60km/h with the addition of an 11th team, Cadillac.
Teams are bracing for a reality check with the new regulations, which introduce energy-starved cars relying heavily on a more powerful MGU-K for nearly 50% of output. Albert Park's flowing layout with few heavy braking zones will test battery recharging, differing sharply from Bahrain testing. Audi driver Nico Hulkenberg described it as moving 'from one extreme to a very different extreme,' predicting teams might split strategies between cars in limited practice sessions.
Braking poses another challenge, with increased regenerative braking leading to cold rear discs and lock-ups, as seen in Bahrain. Brembo's Mario Almondo noted teams must adapt to lower gear usage and altered racing lines, expecting this issue to persist early in the season. Haas principal Ayao Komatsu called the shift from six testing days to three practice hours a 'completely different ball game.'
New Zealand's Liam Lawson, racing for Racing Bulls, views the event as his closest to a home race and expressed excitement despite the unknowns. The weekend, March 6-8, promises intrigue as F1 debuts its overhauled rules.
