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Formula 1 has introduced the new terminology that will be used to reference the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The championship is implementing what is potentially the biggest rules overhaul in its long history next season, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the compulsory introduction of fully sustainable fuels.

The new power units, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a significantly increased battery power, necessitating key advancements in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Throughout races, competitors will tactically deploy ERS energy – potentially on hot laps – to extract the peak performance.

Extensive fan consultation were undertaken with a wide range of fans, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which terminology would aid comprehension of the central aspects of the upcoming rules.

The key objective was to present a range of advanced technical aspects of the racing as easy to grasp as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, initial designations for specific components – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the active aerodynamics – have been abandoned in favor of descriptive names that succinctly convey the primary purpose of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

The FIA states that racers will have increased agency to determine tactics regarding power usage, energy recovery, and conservation.

The new regulations feature a series of modes that will be clearly indicated on TV overlays to aid the audience's understanding of the race battle.

• Attack Mode: This takes over from the present overtaking aid. It provides a surge of additional ERS power deployable when a competitor is within one second the vehicle in front to assist with an pass.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the hybrid system that can be deployed for attack or defence. It delivers the pilot maximum power at the push of a button.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be used with calculation, as the overall battery capacity is capped.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the front and rear wings move automatically – flattening on the long straight sections for minimal air resistance and increased velocity, and closing in the corners for maximum downforce.
• Energy Harvesting: Drivers can recharge the energy store with regenerative braking, or during throttle lift at the end of straights or in sections where only reduced throttle is applied.

Car Design Evolution

The 2026 cars will be smaller and lighter relative to current models, with a distance between axles shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight lowered by 30kg.

Overall downforce is projected to decrease by approximately fifteen to thirty percent, although constructors will naturally regain performance as they optimize their packages.

Air resistance has been slashed by 40%. The vehicles will utilize moveable wing elements – both wings will adjust on the straight sections to cut resistance and boost top speed and return into place for maximum cornering performance.

Tyres will continue to use the current rim size, but the actual tyres will be narrower, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The revised hybrid units will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in energy output by the internal combustion engine and the ERS, increasing from about 20% battery contribution in the current formula.

The hybrid system is streamlined through the elimination of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the complicated and costly component that harvested power from the turbocharger.

All vehicles will be obliged to compete on 100% sustainable fuel, produced using plant-based materials or synthetic industrial processes.