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

The championship is implementing what is arguably the biggest regulation change in its long history for the 2026 campaign, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the required adoption of 100% sustainable fuels.

The updated 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids, which maintain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a greatly enhanced energy storage, driving significant developments in the cars' aerodynamics.

Over a race distance, drivers will strategically manage battery power – sometimes even flying laps – to achieve the peak performance.

Extensive fan consultation were undertaken with a mix of viewers, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which phrases would improve understanding of the key features of the 2026 changes.

The stated goal was to render a range of advanced features of the competition as easy to grasp as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for specific components – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the moveable wings – have been phased out in preference for intuitive labels that clearly indicate the real-world effect of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

The FIA states that racers will have increased agency to choose strategies regarding power usage, harvesting, and conservation.

The 2026 rules feature a series of modes that will be shown on TV overlays to aid the audience's understanding of the strategic duel.

• Passing Mode: This supersedes 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 overtake.
• Power Mode: This is a manual battery discharge from the ERS that can be utilized during attack or defence. It grants the driver maximum power at the click of a switch.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be used with calculation, as the available electrical charge is restricted.

• Active Aero: Both the car's wings adjust their angles – flattening on the long straight sections for low aerodynamic resistance and top speed, and angling down in the corners for peak grip.
• Recharge: The system can harvest energy with power recovered from braking, or during throttle lift at the end of straights or in certain corners where only partial power is required.

2026 Car Specifications

The 2026 cars will be more compact and lighter than this year, with a distance between axles cut by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight lowered by 30kg.

Overall downforce is projected to decrease by approximately 15-30%, although squads will naturally regain performance as they refine their designs.

Drag has been slashed by 40%. The vehicles will feature adjustable aero systems – both wings will move on the straights to cut resistance and boost top speed and return into place for optimal grip in corners.

Pirelli tyres will keep 18-inch wheel rims, but the tyres themselves will be reduced in width, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The new power units will have an approximate 50-50 split in energy output by the ICE and the electrical system, a rise from about 20% electrical in the current formula.

The ERS setup is streamlined through the deletion of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly unit that generated electricity from the exhaust turbo.

All vehicles will be required to run on carbon-neutral fuel, manufactured from biomass or synthetic industrial processes.