Formula 1 drivers will be allowed to change their numbers.

      Today in London the fourth and final meeting of the Formula 1 Commission this year took place under the chairmanship of FIA Single-Seater Director Nicolas Tombazis and Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

      At the meeting, team representatives, the FIA and FOM agreed on regulatory changes that must now be ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Below is a list of key changes.

      2026 technical and sporting regulations

      Following discussions, a number of clarifications to the 2026 technical, sporting, financial and operational regulations will be presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

      A proposal to introduce two mandatory pit stops in races was considered, as well as a proposal to change the tyre specification related to limiting tyre life and the use of three compounds during a race. Feedback from the teams and Pirelli based on analysis and modelling was heard. At this stage no changes have been agreed, but it was decided that consultations on this issue will continue in 2026.

      Rain-affected races

      A number of measures aimed at improving visibility and safety in wet conditions were considered. After assessing previously reviewed concepts, it was proposed to change circuit surfacing, introduce spray-reduction kits and modify tyre construction.

      The possibility of creating neutral zones on sections of circuits where visibility is most severely affected by spray was discussed for the near term.

      In the medium and long term, research will be carried out to develop an augmented reality kit for drivers to assist in low-visibility conditions. It was decided that further evaluation of all options is required.

      Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR)

      Changes to the Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) are being developed to bring Formula 1 in line with modern data processing and modelling technologies while taking cost constraints into account.

      Car liveries and driver numbers

      Following consultations with the Technical Advisory Committee, the minimum requirement for painted surface area on cars in 2026 was considered.

      Commission members agreed that at least 55% of the surface (when viewed from the side and top) should be covered with paint or decals rather than left as bare carbon. The aim of this measure is to increase the visual differentiation of cars.

      Changes to the rules on the use of permanent driver numbers, introduced in 2014, were discussed. It was decided that drivers will be permitted to change numbers during their careers.

      Driver cooling system

      The possible introduction of mandatory use of a driver cooling system (DCS) from 2026 was discussed. Changes to the design of the current DCS and cooling equipment were proposed, as well as an increase in the permissible weight when using DCS. Additional feedback from drivers will be sought through the GPDA.