Formula 1 manufacturers have agreed with the FIA to make a last-minute rule change for qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix in a bid to avoid too much energy saving.

As revealed by The Race earlier this week, ongoing discussions between teams and the FIA about what is and is not working with the new 2026 rules have homed in on qualifying being the main problem that needs addressing.

Concerns have grown about the spectacle of the shootout for grid positions having been ruined by the need for too much energy management rather than drivers pushing to the edge.

While F1 technical chiefs are to be tasked with finding longer-term solutions that can be implemented in time for the Miami GP in early May, an immediate modification is being made for this weekend.

Suzuka is expected to expose cars to energy-starvation risks because there are not many heavy braking zones where the batteries can be easily recharged, and there have been fears that the lap could be dominated by the need for a lot of super clipping.

This is where cars that are running on full throttle switch into a harvesting mode to help charge the battery, which reduces their overall speed.

Following discussions between manufacturers and the FIA, and subsequent simulation work, it has been agreed that the recharge limit per lap will be reduced for qualifying in Japan.

As reported earlier this month, Suzuka had been one of the venues where a 9MJ allowance would be allowed per lap in qualifying.

However, it has now been decided that this will be reduced to 8MJ.

Dropping the amount of energy that can be recharged will mean less power can be deployed overall, so speeds will be lower, but it should mean there is less premium on drivers needing to recover as much energy.

Sources suggest that the drop from 9MJ to 8MJ should reduce the need for super clipping by up to four seconds per lap.

A statement issued by the FIA said the reduction in the recharge limit had received unanimous support.

“This adjustment reflects feedback from drivers and teams, who have emphasised the importance of maintaining qualifying as a performance challenge,” it said.

“The FIA notes that the first events under the 2026 regulations have been operationally successful, and this targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions.

“The FIA, together with F1 teams and power unit manufacturers, continues to embrace evolutions to energy management, with further discussions scheduled in the coming weeks.”

Suzuka will be more like Melbourne

F1 has so far visited two very different tracks in 2026 when it comes to the levels of energy management required.

The season opener in Australia was on one of the most difficult tracks on the calendar when it comes to energy, whereas the second round at Shanghai was at the better end.

Suzuka, which only has a few heavy braking zones, will be much closer to what teams experienced at Albert Park.

McLaren technical director of performance Mark Temple said ahead of the weekend: “We expect to see something a little more like Melbourne.

“Suzuka remains a unique and challenging circuit layout with its iconic corners, but like Melbourne it is a more energy-starved track.

“We therefore anticipate more artefacts of energy recovery in a number of areas of the circuit such as entering Turn 1. This will be an important area to optimise along with the chassis and tyre performance.”

Williams chief engineer Paul Williams added that energy management tactics were anticipated to be quite high in Japan.

“A high level of super clipping is expected in Suzuka in both low- and high-fuel conditions, due to the very fast, flowing nature of the circuit and the resulting low cornering times,” he said.

“As a result, we may see teams using lift and coast to help manage the energy challenge.”