What the Strategy Group does
The F1 Strategy Group is a committee that brings together the FIA, FOM (Formula One Management), and the top teams to discuss and propose changes to the sport's regulations. It was established in 2014 as a way to ensure that the teams most affected by rule changes have a voice in the decision-making process.
The group meets regularly to discuss topics ranging from technical regulations to sporting rules to commercial matters. Its proposals must be approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council before they become official.
The most influential decisions
The Strategy Group has been responsible for some of the most significant regulatory changes in recent F1 history:
- The introduction of the halo (2018): A safety device that has saved multiple lives.
- The sprint race format (2021): A new weekend format that has divided opinion but increased engagement.
- The cost cap (2021): A financial regulation that has fundamentally changed the competitive landscape.
- The 2026 power unit regulations: The biggest engine rule change in decades.
How it works
The Strategy Group consists of representatives from the FIA, FOM, and the top six teams in the constructors' championship. Decisions require a majority vote, and the FIA has the final say on safety-related matters.
The group's role has evolved significantly in the cost cap era. With spending limited, the focus has shifted from financial competition to regulatory competition — teams now compete to influence the rules in their favor rather than outspend their rivals.
The 2026 challenge
In 2026, the Strategy Group faces its most complex task yet: balancing the introduction of new technologies (Active Aero, sustainable fuels, increased electrical power) with the need to maintain competitive balance and control costs. The decisions made in this period will shape F1 for the next decade.