Liam Lawson Champions Safety-First Approach as FIA Unveils Strategic Qualifying Tweak for Miami

Liam Lawson prioritizes safety as the FIA introduces new 2026 qualifying and power rules for Miami to stop dangerous speed gaps.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 6:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

A Vital Intervention for High-Speed Security

The 2026 Formula 1 season has reached a critical regulatory junction as the FIA introduces emergency measures to mitigate escalating safety risks. Liam Lawson, who currently leads the Racing Bulls' efforts, has emphasized that while performance is a natural focus for development, the physical protection of drivers must remain the governing body's absolute priority. The move comes after Lawson narrowly avoided a catastrophic collision at the Australian Grand Prix when his car bogged down on the start line, forcing a split-second evasive maneuver from Williams’ Franco Colapinto. According to Lawson, these technical instabilities have made the opening rounds of the season more about survival than pure racing.

The End of the Lift-and-Coast Era

One of the most significant changes set for the Miami Grand Prix involves a complete overhaul of energy regeneration protocols during qualifying sessions. Drivers have spent the first three races of 2026 complaining of an inability to push for a full flat-out lap due to "super-clipping," where the power unit abruptly cuts electrical deployment to save battery. To address this, the FIA has reduced the permitted amount of energy harvested per lap and increased peak power output. This shift is designed to eliminate the counter-intuitive "lift-and-coast" driving style currently required to set a competitive time, allowing drivers to finally extract the true limits of the 2026 chassis.

Addressing the Threat of Extreme Closing Speeds

The urgency for these changes was further highlighted by a violent crash involving Oliver Bearman at Suzuka, sparked by a massive speed differential between cars in different power modes. Under the new Miami directive, the FIA will implement a strict cap on the power available during "Boost Mode" to prevent the 350kW systems from creating dangerous overtaking scenarios on narrow straights. Lawson noted that the current cars often feel unpredictable when the hybrid system shifts between deployment and harvesting, making it difficult for trailing drivers to judge closing distances accurately. The new cap aims to normalize speed curves across the grid during race trim.