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F1 has unveiled the new terminology that will be used to reference the advanced features of its upcoming 2026 rulebook.

The racing series is embarking on what is potentially the biggest regulation change in its long history starting in 2026, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the required adoption of fully sustainable fuels.

The updated 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids, which maintain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a significantly increased electrical capacity, driving major innovations in the aero packages.

Over a race distance, drivers will strategically manage battery power – sometimes even hot laps – to extract the optimal lap time.

Wide-ranging research were undertaken with a diverse audience, including long-time followers and newcomers, to understand which phrases would make things clearer of the central aspects of the 2026 changes.

The primary aim was to render a set of intricate new areas of the racing as straightforward as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for specific components – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the active aerodynamics – have been discarded in favour of intuitive labels that directly explain the primary purpose of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

According to rule-makers that competitors will have increased agency to choose strategies regarding power usage, energy recovery, and saving energy.

The 2026 rules introduce a range of settings that will be visually displayed on broadcast screens to improve the audience's understanding of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This takes over from the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy available when a competitor is within one second the car ahead to assist with an pass.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a driver-operated energy deployment from the ERS that can be deployed for overtaking or defending. It delivers the pilot maximum power at the click of a switch.

Both of these key functions will have to be deployed strategically, as the total energy is strictly limited.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the nose and rear wings adjust their angles – opening on the high-speed sections for low aerodynamic resistance and increased velocity, and closing in the turns for optimal cornering performance.
• Recharge: Cars can replenish their battery with regenerative braking, or during partial power application at the conclusion of a straight or in sections where only partial power is used.

Car Design Evolution

The 2026 cars will be smaller and lighter than this year, with a car length cut by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the lowest permissible weight lowered by 30kg.

Cumulative downforce is projected to decrease by approximately fifteen to thirty percent, although constructors will inevitably claw this back as they refine their designs.

Air resistance has been cut by 40%. The vehicles will feature adjustable aero systems – both wings will move on the straight sections to reduce drag and increase straightline speed and return into place for maximum cornering performance.

Pirelli tyres will keep the current rim size, but the tyres themselves will be reduced in width, 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 horsepower generated by the petrol engine and the ERS, a rise from about one-fifth electric power in the current formula.

The hybrid system is streamlined through the removal of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the intricate and expensive device that harvested power from the turbocharger.

All vehicles will be required to run on carbon-neutral fuel, created from biomass or synthetic industrial processes.