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Formula 1 has unveiled the new language that will be used to describe the technical complexities of its revolutionary 2026 rulebook.

The championship is implementing what is arguably the largest rules overhaul in its illustrious history next season, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the compulsory introduction of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a greatly enhanced electrical capacity, requiring major innovations in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Throughout races, competitors will tactically deploy electrical energy – sometimes even flying laps – to achieve the best result.

Extensive fan consultation were undertaken with a mix of viewers, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to determine which terminology would make things clearer of the key features of the new regulations.

The key objective was to present a series of complex features of the competition as easy to grasp as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, older technical labels for some systems – such as "alphabetical mode names" for the moveable wings – have been abandoned in favour of intuitive labels that directly explain the primary purpose of the system.

Key Technical Innovations

According to rule-makers that drivers will have increased agency to make decisions regarding power usage, energy recovery, and conservation.

The new regulations introduce a range of settings that will be visually displayed on television graphics to improve the viewers' comprehension of the on-track action.

• Overtake 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 leading car to assist with an overtaking maneuver.
• Power Mode: This is a on-demand battery discharge from the energy recovery system that can be utilized during overtaking or defending. It delivers the driver maximum power at the activation of a control.

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

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the front and rear wings adjust their angles – opening on the high-speed sections for minimal air resistance and top speed, and closing in the turns for peak grip.
• Energy Harvesting: Drivers can harvest energy with energy harvested under braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in sections where only partial power is used.

Car Design Evolution

The next-generation machines will be reduced in size and weight compared to the 2025 spec, with a distance between axles shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight decreased by 30kg.

Overall downforce is expected to drop by approximately 15-30%, although squads will naturally regain performance as they optimize their packages.

Drag has been cut by 40%. The vehicles will employ moveable wing elements – both wings will adjust on the straights to reduce drag and increase straightline speed and return into place for peak handling.

Pirelli tyres will continue to use the current rim size, but the tyres themselves will be narrower, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The revised hybrid units will have an near-equal balance in power produced by the internal combustion engine and the electrical system, a rise from about one-fifth electric power under present rules.

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

Cars will be obliged to compete on carbon-neutral fuel, produced using biomass or synthetic industrial processes.