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F1 has introduced the simplified vocabulary that will be used to describe the technical complexities of its new 2026 regulations.

The sport is implementing what is potentially the largest rules overhaul in its long history next season, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the mandatory use of 100% sustainable fuels.

The new power units, which retain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a greatly enhanced electrical capacity, necessitating key advancements in the cars' aerodynamics.

Over a race distance, drivers will carefully oversee electrical energy – potentially on qualifying laps – to secure the optimal lap time.

Wide-ranging research were carried out with a diverse audience, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which phrases would make things clearer of the key features of the new regulations.

The key objective was to present a set of intricate features of the racing as accessible as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, initial designations for specific components – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the active aerodynamics – have been discarded in preference for descriptive names that clearly indicate the real-world effect of the technology.

Exploring the New Tech

According to rule-makers that competitors will have more power to determine tactics regarding energy deployment, harvesting, and saving energy.

The 2026 rules introduce a range of settings that will be visually displayed on television graphics to improve the viewers' comprehension of the strategic duel.

• Attack Mode: This replaces the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a short boost of battery power available when a car is within one second the car ahead to execute an pass.
• Boost Mode: This is a driver-operated energy deployment from the hybrid system that can be deployed for attack or defence. It provides the driver maximum power at the push of a button.

Both of these key functions 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 reduced drag and increased velocity, and angling down in the corners for maximum downforce.
• Energy Harvesting: The system can recharge the energy store with power recovered from braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in certain corners where only reduced throttle is required.

2026 Car Specifications

The 2026 cars will be more compact and lighter than this year, 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 expected to drop by approximately fifteen to thirty percent, although teams will inevitably claw this back as they optimize their packages.

Drag has been cut by 40%. The vehicles will employ adjustable aero systems – front and rear wings will open on the straight sections to improve speed and increase straightline speed and click back into place for optimal grip in corners.

Wheels will continue to use 18-inch wheel rims, but the actual tyres will be slimmer, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The revised hybrid units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the ICE and the battery and motor, up from about 20% battery contribution in the current formula.

The hybrid system is simplified through the deletion of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the intricate and expensive unit that recovered energy from the turbocharger.

Cars will be required to run on 100% sustainable fuel, created from organic sources or synthetic industrial processes.