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Formula 1 has unveiled the simplified terminology that will be used to describe the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 rulebook.

The sport is embarking on what is considered the largest technical shift in its long history next season, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the required adoption of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a substantially higher battery power, requiring major innovations in the aero packages.

Over a race distance, competitors will carefully oversee electrical energy – potentially on hot laps – to extract the peak result.

Broad surveys were conducted with a diverse audience, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which terminology would aid comprehension of the central aspects of the new regulations.

The primary aim was to present a range of advanced features of the sport as accessible as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, older technical labels for specific components – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the adjustable aero – have been discarded in preference for intuitive labels that clearly indicate the real-world effect of the technology.

Key Technical Innovations

The FIA states that competitors will have greater control to choose strategies regarding energy deployment, harvesting, and efficiency.

The 2026 rules feature a range of settings that will be shown on broadcast screens to improve the audience's understanding of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This takes over from the present overtaking aid. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy deployable when a car is within one second the leading car to assist with an overtake.
• Boost Mode: This is a driver-operated battery discharge from the ERS that can be used in attack or defence. It grants the pilot peak output at the push of a button.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be used with calculation, as the total energy is strictly limited.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the car's wings adjust their angles – spreading on the straights for low aerodynamic resistance and top speed, and sealing in the corners for peak grip.
• Battery Recharge: The system can replenish their battery with energy harvested under braking, or during throttle lift at the conclusion of a straight or in corners where only partial power is used.

Car Design Evolution

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

Cumulative downforce is projected to decrease by approximately a significant margin, although squads will naturally regain performance as they optimize their packages.

Drag has been reduced by 40%. The vehicles will employ adjustable aero systems – both wings will adjust on the straight sections to cut resistance and enhance velocity and return into place for optimal grip in corners.

Pirelli tyres will continue to use 18-inch rims, but the tyres themselves will be reduced in width, by 25mm at the front and 30mm at the rear.

What's Changing in the Engines?

The 2026 engines will have an near-equal balance in energy output by the petrol engine and the electrical system, a rise from about 20% electrical under present rules.

The energy recovery system is streamlined through the elimination of the MGU-H, the sophisticated and pricey device that harvested power from the turbocharger.

Cars will be required to run on fully sustainable fuel, manufactured from plant-based materials or lab-created processes.