Schedule for the GP of Azerbaijan
Thursday, September 24
FP1: 5:30
It’s official: Formula 1 races in the 2027 season will be shorter
The category commission approved reducing the distance of the Grands Prix from 305 to 290 kilometers starting next year
Thursday, September 24
FP1: 5:30
FP2: 9:00
Friday, September 25
FP3: 5:30
Qualifying: 9:00
Saturday, September 26
Race: 8:00
*all times are in Argentina
As the Formula 1 prepares to resume activity at the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan, the category has already begun to define part of what its future will be. This Monday, the Commission of The Maximum, led by Nikolas Tombazis (FIA single-seater director) and Stefano Domenicali (president and CEO of FOM), approved a series of modifications for the 2027 season that will change the duration and development of the Grands Prix.
The main novelty will be in the distance of the races. Starting next season, the GPs will change from a total distance of 305 kilometers to 290, which will represent a reduction of approximately two or three laps depending on the characteristics of each circuit. The decision is related to the adjustments planned for the power units next year, especially regarding fuel flow.
The modification arose from discussions between the FIA, teams, and power unit manufacturers about adapting the cars to the new technical requirements. The regulatory package for 2027 and 2028 had already contemplated changes in the contribution of the combustion engine and the energy recovery system, as well as modifications in energy and fuel flow.
With the new technical scenario, the reduction in distance will allow adapting fuel requirements to the characteristics of the next generation of single-seaters. This way, teams will be able to face the regulatory change without having to transfer all those needs to a larger tank capacity.
However, the distance of the Grands Prix will not be the only aspect that will change. The Commission also decided to modify the conditions for races interrupted by rain or other inconveniences. The current limit of three hours between the start and end of a race will be eliminated, although a maximum of two hours of effective competition will still apply. Additionally, there will be greater flexibility to extend free practice sessions when they suffer interruptions.
Another of the approved modifications will be related to gearboxes. After consulting with manufacturers and receiving a recommendation from the Sports Advisory Committee, the Commission agreed to eliminate their homologation starting in 2027 to allow greater development freedom for suppliers.
It should be noted that all changes must be formally approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) for final implementation.
After his brilliant performance on Spanish soil, the Argentine will now travel to Baku for the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan. Due to the fact that Sunday, September 27, is celebrated as Remembrance Day in that country, in memory of those who fell during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the action will be moved up 24 hours, with the competition starting on Thursday, September 24, with the first free practices and concluding on Saturday, September 26, with the main race.
In his previous appearances at the urban circuit of the capital of the Asian country, the native of Pilar had very different results. In 2024, when he was still part of Williams, he finished eighth, earning his first points as a Formula 1 driver, while in 2025, already with Alpine, he finished in 19th place out of 20, largely marked by the poor performance of his single-seater that year.