Pakistan, Oct. 22 -- Formula 1 grands prix will return to their standard distance in 2028 after the maximum length was shortened for next season.

The maximum distance of a race was cut by 15km from 305km (189.5 miles) to 290km (180.2 miles) for the 2027 season. That reduction was introduced because of a quirk of the situation surrounding changes to the engine rules for next year. The new hybrid engines introduced this year, which have a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, have been criticised for reducing the impact of driver skill. The power split will be changed, in two steps, to 60-40 by 2028, enabling drivers to have maximum power for longer.

This means the cars will use more fuel - and that became a c...