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Formula 1 has revealed the official language that will be used to reference the advanced features of its upcoming 2026 rulebook.

The championship is implementing what is considered the most significant regulation change in its competitive history starting in 2026, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the mandatory use of eco-friendly fuels.

The new power units, which maintain the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, boast a substantially higher battery power, necessitating significant developments in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

During grand prix events, drivers will carefully oversee electrical energy – including during hot laps – to secure the peak lap time.

Wide-ranging research were carried out with a diverse audience, including long-time followers and newcomers, to understand which phrases would make things clearer of the main elements of the new regulations.

The primary aim was to render a range of advanced features of the racing as straightforward as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, initial designations for specific components – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the active aerodynamics – have been phased out in favour of descriptive names that succinctly convey the real-world effect of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

The FIA states that racers will have more power to make decisions regarding battery management, energy recovery, and conservation.

The upcoming changes mandate a set of functions that will be clearly indicated on television graphics to enhance the fans' insight of the on-track action.

• Overtake Mode: This supersedes the current DRS. It provides a short boost of battery power available when a competitor is less than a second the vehicle in front to assist with an overtake.
• Power Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the hybrid system that can be utilized during attack or defence. It grants the pilot maximum power at the click of a switch.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be deployed strategically, as the overall battery capacity is strictly limited.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the front and rear wings change configuration – flattening on the straights for minimal air resistance and top speed, and angling down in the corners for maximum downforce.
• Battery Recharge: Cars can harvest energy with energy harvested under braking, or during partial power application at the straight's end or in certain corners where only limited engine output is applied.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The 2026 cars will be more compact and lighter relative to current models, with a wheelbase shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the lowest permissible weight lowered by 30kg.

Cumulative downforce is anticipated to be reduced by approximately 15-30%, although constructors will undoubtedly recover some as they refine their designs.

Drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will feature active aerodynamics – both wings will adjust on the straight sections to reduce drag and enhance velocity and revert into place for optimal grip in corners.

Wheels will continue to use 18-inch rims, but the tyres themselves will be reduced in width, by a quarter-centimetre on the front and 30mm at the rear.

What's Changing in the Engines?

The new power units will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in power produced by the ICE and the battery and motor, up from about 20% electrical this year.

The ERS setup is simplified through the removal of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly component that generated electricity from the turbo.

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