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Formula 1 has unveiled the new language that will be used to explain the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 technical rules.

The sport is embarking on what is arguably the largest regulation change in its competitive history next season, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the required adoption of eco-friendly fuels.

The new power units, which maintain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a substantially higher battery power, driving major innovations in the cars' aerodynamics.

Throughout races, competitors will carefully oversee battery power – sometimes even qualifying laps – to extract the peak lap time.

Broad surveys were undertaken with a wide range of fans, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which terms would improve understanding of the key features of the upcoming rules.

The key objective was to present a series of complex new areas of the racing as easy to grasp as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, initial designations for some systems – such as "alphabetical mode names" for the adjustable aero – have been abandoned in favour of straightforward terms that succinctly convey the actual function of the innovation.

Exploring the New Tech

Regulators explain that competitors will have greater control to make decisions regarding energy deployment, harvesting, and conservation.

The upcoming changes mandate a range of settings that will be visually displayed on television graphics to improve the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Passing Mode: This replaces the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a surge of additional ERS power deployable when a driver is close behind the leading car to facilitate an overtake.
• Power Mode: This is a driver-operated energy deployment from the ERS that can be deployed for offensive or defensive moves. It delivers the driver peak output at the push of a button.

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

• Adjustable Aero: Both the nose and rear wings change configuration – spreading on the straights for low aerodynamic resistance and top speed, and sealing in the corners for peak grip.
• Recharge: Drivers can replenish their battery with power recovered from braking, or during partial power application at the conclusion of a straight or in corners where only partial power is required.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The vehicles for the new era will be more compact and lighter than this year, with a distance between axles reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight reduced by 30kg.

Overall downforce is expected to drop by approximately fifteen to thirty percent, although teams will inevitably claw this back as they refine their designs.

Drag has been cut by 40%. The cars will utilize moveable wing elements – front and rear wings will move on the straight sections to cut resistance and boost top speed and return into place for maximum cornering performance.

Pirelli tyres will retain the current rim size, but the actual tyres will be narrower, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and 30mm at the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The new power units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the petrol engine and the ERS, up from about 20% electrical under present rules.

The ERS setup is streamlined through the removal of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the intricate and expensive unit that generated electricity from the turbo.

Cars will be obliged to compete on carbon-neutral fuel, created from organic sources or lab-created processes.