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Formula 1 has revealed the new vocabulary that will be used to reference the intricate details of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The racing series is introducing what is potentially the biggest rules overhaul in its competitive history for the 2026 campaign, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the required adoption of 100% sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which maintain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a significantly increased energy storage, requiring significant developments in the cars' aerodynamics.

Over a race distance, competitors will strategically manage ERS energy – potentially on qualifying laps – to extract the peak lap time.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a wide range of fans, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to determine which phrases would aid comprehension of the central aspects of the 2026 changes.

The key objective was to present a set of intricate technical aspects of the sport as accessible as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for some systems – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the adjustable aero – have been abandoned in favour of descriptive names that clearly indicate the real-world effect of the innovation.

Key Technical Innovations

The FIA states that competitors will have increased agency to choose strategies regarding battery management, energy recovery, and saving energy.

The upcoming changes feature a series of modes that will be visually displayed on television graphics to improve the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This replaces the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy available when a driver is less than a second the car ahead to assist with an overtake.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a manual power boost from the energy recovery system that can be deployed for offensive or defensive moves. It grants the driver full engine and battery energy at the click of a switch.

Both of these key functions will have to be managed carefully, as the available electrical charge is restricted.

• Active Aero: Both the car's wings move automatically – spreading on the high-speed sections for reduced drag and top speed, and angling down in the turns for maximum downforce.
• Energy Harvesting: The system can harvest energy with regenerative braking, or during throttle lift at the straight's end or in corners where only limited engine output is used.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The vehicles for the new era will be smaller and lighter compared to the 2025 spec, with a car length shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width reduced by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight reduced by 30kg.

Cumulative downforce is expected to drop by approximately a significant margin, although teams will undoubtedly recover some as they develop their cars.

Aerodynamic drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will utilize moveable wing elements – both wings will adjust on the straight sections to cut resistance and enhance velocity and click back into place for peak handling.

Tyres will continue to use the current rim size, but the actual tyres will be narrower, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and 30 millimetres on the rear axle.

Power Unit Revolution

The 2026 engines will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in power produced by the ICE and the electrical system, a rise from about one-fifth electric power this year.

The ERS setup is streamlined through the removal of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the sophisticated and pricey unit that recovered energy from the turbo.

Cars will be mandated to operate on carbon-neutral fuel, created from organic sources or synthetic industrial processes.