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F1 has revealed the official vocabulary that will be used to describe the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The racing series is implementing what is considered the most significant regulation change in its competitive history starting in 2026, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the required adoption of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which maintain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a significantly increased battery power, requiring major innovations in the cars' aerodynamics.

Throughout races, pilots will carefully oversee ERS energy – potentially on qualifying laps – to secure the peak lap time.

Extensive fan consultation were carried out with a wide range of fans, including new, casual and core fans, to determine which phrases would aid comprehension of the central aspects of the new regulations.

The primary aim was to render a series of complex features of the competition as straightforward as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for some systems – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the active aerodynamics – have been phased out in favour of intuitive labels that clearly indicate the real-world effect of the system.

Exploring the New Tech

Regulators explain that competitors will have more power to make decisions regarding battery management, harvesting, and efficiency.

The 2026 rules feature a set of functions that will be shown on broadcast screens to aid the viewers' comprehension of the strategic duel.

• Overtake Mode: This supersedes the current DRS. It provides a short boost of battery power accessible when a car is close behind the leading car to assist with an pass.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a manual battery discharge from the energy recovery system that can be utilized during overtaking or defending. It delivers the pilot peak output at the click of a switch.

Both of these key functions will have to be used with calculation, as the available electrical charge is capped.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the nose and rear wings change configuration – flattening on the long straight sections for reduced drag and higher speed, and angling down in the bends for optimal cornering performance.
• Energy Harvesting: 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 limited engine output is applied.

Car Design Evolution

The next-generation machines will be more compact and lighter compared to the 2025 spec, with a distance between axles reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width cut 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 optimize their packages.

Air resistance has been slashed by 40%. The vehicles will feature adjustable aero systems – front and rear wings will adjust on the straights to reduce drag and boost top speed and return into place for optimal grip in corners.

Pirelli tyres will retain the current rim size, but the actual tyres will be reduced in width, by 25mm at the front and three centimetres on the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

The new power units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the ICE and the ERS, a rise from about one-fifth electric power under present rules.

The hybrid system is simplified through the removal of the MGU-H, the complicated and costly device that generated electricity from the turbocharger.

Every car on the grid will be obliged to compete on carbon-neutral fuel, created from organic sources or lab-created processes.