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The world of Formula 1 has revealed the official vocabulary that will be used to describe the technical complexities of its new 2026 rulebook.

The racing series is implementing what is considered the most significant rules overhaul in its competitive history starting in 2026, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the compulsory introduction of eco-friendly fuels.

The revised engines, which maintain the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, boast a significantly increased battery power, requiring major innovations in the aero packages.

Over a race distance, pilots will strategically manage battery power – including during hot laps – to extract the best performance.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a wide range of fans, including new, casual and core fans, to identify which phrases would make things clearer of the central aspects of the upcoming rules.

The primary aim was to make a range of advanced features of the racing as accessible as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, older technical labels for certain devices – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the active aerodynamics – have been abandoned in favor of descriptive names that clearly indicate the real-world effect of the system.

Exploring the New Tech

The FIA states that racers will have more power to choose strategies regarding energy deployment, regeneration, and saving energy.

The new regulations introduce a series of modes that will be shown on television graphics to aid the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Attack Mode: This replaces the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a short boost of battery power deployable when a car is less than a second the vehicle in front to facilitate an pass.
• Power Mode: This is a driver-operated energy deployment from the ERS that can be utilized during offensive or defensive moves. It grants the pilot peak output at the activation of a control.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be managed carefully, as the total energy is capped.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the car's wings change configuration – flattening on the high-speed sections for minimal air resistance and top speed, and sealing in the corners for optimal cornering performance.
• Energy Harvesting: The system can replenish their battery with regenerative braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in sections where only partial power is applied.

2026 Car Specifications

The 2026 cars will be more compact and lighter compared to the 2025 spec, with a car length reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight decreased by 30kg.

Overall downforce is projected to decrease by approximately 15-30%, although constructors will undoubtedly recover some as they refine their designs.

Aerodynamic drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will feature moveable wing elements – both wings will move on the straight sections to cut resistance and increase straightline speed and click back into place for maximum cornering performance.

Tyres will retain the current rim size, but the rubber compounds will be narrower, by a quarter-centimetre on the front and three centimetres on the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The new power units will have an near-equal balance in power produced by the ICE and the ERS, increasing from about 20% electrical in the current formula.

The ERS setup is simplified through the elimination of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the sophisticated and pricey component that recovered energy from the turbocharger.

All vehicles will be obliged to compete on fully sustainable fuel, created from biomass or synthetic production methods.