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F1 has unveiled the new language that will be used to describe the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The sport is embarking on what is considered the largest regulation change in its competitive history starting in 2026, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the mandatory use of eco-friendly fuels.

The new power units, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a significantly increased battery power, necessitating significant developments in the aero packages.

Throughout races, drivers will carefully oversee ERS energy – potentially on qualifying laps – to extract the peak result.

Extensive fan consultation were undertaken with a wide range of fans, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to identify which terms would aid comprehension of the key features of the upcoming rules.

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

Consequently, older technical labels for some systems – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the active aerodynamics – have been abandoned in favor of straightforward terms that directly explain the primary purpose of the technology.

What's the New Technology?

According to rule-makers that competitors will have increased agency to determine tactics regarding power usage, harvesting, and saving energy.

The upcoming changes introduce a range of settings that will be shown on broadcast screens to improve the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This takes over from the current DRS. It provides a short boost of battery power available when a car is within one second the leading car to assist with an overtake.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the ERS that can be utilized during attack or defence. It provides the pilot full engine and battery energy at the activation of a control.

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

• Adjustable Aero: Both the nose and rear wings adjust their angles – spreading on the straights for minimal air resistance and top speed, and sealing in the bends for peak grip.
• Recharge: The system can recharge the energy store with regenerative braking, or during coasting at the end of straights or in sections where only limited engine output is used.

Car Design Evolution

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

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

Air resistance has been cut by 40%. The cars will employ adjustable aero systems – both wings will adjust on the straight sections to improve speed and boost top speed and click back into place for maximum cornering performance.

Tyres will keep 18-inch rims, but the actual tyres will be slimmer, by a quarter-centimetre on the front and three centimetres on the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

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

The ERS setup is simplified through the elimination of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the sophisticated and pricey component that generated electricity from the exhaust turbo.

All vehicles will be obliged to compete on fully sustainable fuel, created from plant-based materials or synthetic industrial processes.