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Formula 1 has revealed the simplified language that will be used to describe the technical complexities of its revolutionary 2026 rulebook.

The racing series is introducing what is potentially the largest rules overhaul in its competitive history for the 2026 campaign, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the compulsory introduction of fully sustainable fuels.

The new power units, which keep the hybrid V6 layout, boast a substantially higher battery power, requiring significant developments in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Over a race distance, competitors will tactically deploy battery power – including during qualifying laps – to extract the best result.

Extensive fan consultation were carried out with a diverse audience, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to determine which terms would improve understanding of the central aspects of the new regulations.

The key objective was to make a series of complex features of the racing as easy to grasp as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, initial designations for certain devices – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the moveable wings – have been phased out in favour of descriptive names that succinctly convey the actual function of the system.

Exploring the New Tech

The FIA states that competitors will have greater control to make decisions regarding battery management, regeneration, and conservation.

The new regulations feature a range of settings that will be shown on broadcast screens to improve the fans' insight of the on-track action.

• Overtake Mode: This replaces the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a surge of additional ERS power accessible when a car is within one second the car ahead to assist with an overtaking maneuver.
• Boost Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the energy recovery system that can be deployed for overtaking or defending. It grants the pilot maximum power at the push of a button.

Both of these key functions will have to be managed carefully, as the available electrical charge is capped.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the nose and rear wings move automatically – spreading on the straights for reduced drag and top speed, and angling down in the bends for maximum downforce.
• Recharge: Cars can harvest energy with power recovered from braking, or during throttle lift at the end of straights or in sections where only partial power is used.

2026 Car Specifications

The 2026 cars will be smaller and lighter than this year, with a wheelbase shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the lowest permissible weight decreased by 30kg.

Overall downforce is expected to drop by approximately a significant margin, although constructors will inevitably claw this back as they develop their cars.

Aerodynamic drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will feature moveable wing elements – front and rear wings will open on the straight sections to improve speed and increase straightline speed and revert into place for optimal grip in corners.

Wheels will retain 18-inch rims, but the rubber compounds will be reduced in width, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and 30mm at the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

The revised hybrid units will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in energy output by the petrol engine and the electrical system, up from about 20% battery contribution this year.

The energy recovery system is streamlined through the removal of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the complicated and costly unit that generated electricity from the exhaust turbo.

Every car on the grid will be obliged to compete on fully sustainable fuel, created from biomass or synthetic production methods.