UIM Council Adopts Five F2 Rule Changes For 2026 Season

UIM F2 will introduce long lap penalties and passed a European Championship proposal from January 2026 after the UIM Council adopted five of seven F2 rules proposals last Friday at the Shanghai General Assembly, whilst rejecting an overhaul of the penalties table and withdrawing championship structure clarifications.

The Formulae Committee’s package delivered major changes to race procedures and competition formats, with long lap implementation receiving unanimous support across three interconnected proposals introducing the strategic element to F2 racing.

Long Lap System Adopted

The Council approved three complementary long lap proposals establishing the penalty format across Formula 2. Circuit Rule 304.02 gained adoption with text modification introducing a yellow and orange striped flag specifically for F2 long lap penalties, ensuring consistency with GT and F4 flag signals.

Lithuania’s proposal adding F2 to Circuit Rule 312.15 passed without modification, requiring drivers to complete one mandatory long lap per heat created by adding buoys extending the lap by at least 200 metres. The long lap cannot be taken during the first full lap after the start.

The Formulae Committee’s detailed F2-specific long lap rule passed as proposed, codifying operational restrictions preventing long lap execution under yellow flag conditions. Drivers encountering yellow flags whilst completing long laps must stop and return to their previous lap position, resuming only after green flag displays. No speed restrictions apply within long lap areas, with the penalty for failing to complete the mandatory lap remaining one lap deducted from final results.

European Championship

The Council adopted the UIM F2 European Championship proposal with text modifications addressing heat length requirements and travel money provisions. The new continental title will run as a single event comprising four heats, with the best three results counting towards final classification following Rule 317 series points scoring.

The adopted text specifies heats must span 20 to 30 kilometres for 850cc racing outboards, with modifications clarifying travel and start money provisions for foreign drivers. Payment determination follows international licence nationality or boat flag when these differ, with drivers successfully starting official practice, time trials, qualifying or racing receiving designated amounts.

UIM will supply medals for the top three finishers, with the championship providing an additional continental title opportunity beyond existing World Championship structures.

Penalties Proposal Rejected

The Council rejected the Formulae Committee’s comprehensive penalties table overhaul, declining proposed changes to black flag infractions and jump start penalties. The proposal sought to revise wording for airbag system activation penalties, lost or loose component protocols, and introduce long lap alternatives for jump start infractions.

Current penalty structures remain in force, with the rejection maintaining existing fine amounts and disqualification procedures unchanged. The decision preserves 14.17 through 14.21 penalties in their current form, including the 1,500-euro fine and disqualification for non-operative airbag systems.

Championship Proposal Withdrawn

The engine and championship clarification proposal was withdrawn before the vote, removing the attempt to streamline F2’s dual-engine championship structure. The current rulebook provisions for separate championships based on Mercury SST200 and Mercury Racing 250 APX engines remain unchanged, with the parallel title system continuing subject to minimum five-boat requirements per category.

The withdrawal maintains existing language around championship recognition and engine swap protocols, with the 2025 season structure carrying forward into 2026 unchanged.

Technical Specifications Approved

The SST200 engine cowlings and graphics proposal gained adoption following COMINTECH advice. Manufacturers receive freedom whilst maintaining Mercury Racing’s specified overall shape and air intake design, with top cowlings having no connection to powerheads.

Factory Mercury logos remain compulsory, though graphics colours may be modified per homologation file 00501. All other graphics and components must remain as specified in homologation documentation.

Implementation Timeline

All adopted rules take effect from 1st January 2026, providing constructors, teams and organisers three months to implement changes. The long lap system requires venue homologation updates specifying long lap buoy placement and course extensions, whilst the European Championship enables national authorities to apply for 2026 calendar inclusion.

The Council vote concluded Friday’s session at the 98th UIM General Assembly in Shanghai, with adopted F2 changes forming part of broader circuit racing rule updates approved across multiple proposals covering safety equipment, rescue boat classifications and technical specifications.

Proposal	Subject	Result
1 – Circuit 304.02	Flag Signals	Adopted (Modified)
2 – Circuit 312.15	Long Lap for F2	Adopted
3 – F2 8.3	Long Lap for F2	Adopted
4 – F2 10.1	Engine and Championship	Withdrawn
5 – F2 14	Penalties	Not Supported
6 – NEW	F2 Continental Championship	Adopted (Modified)
7 – F2 10.3	SST200 Engine Cowlings	Adopted