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F1 has revealed the simplified vocabulary that will be used to explain the intricate details of its revolutionary 2026 rulebook.

The sport is implementing what is arguably the most significant technical shift in its long history starting in 2026, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the mandatory use of 100% sustainable fuels.

The new power units, which maintain the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, boast a greatly enhanced energy storage, driving key advancements in the aero packages.

Throughout races, competitors will strategically manage battery power – sometimes even qualifying laps – to extract the optimal lap time.

Broad surveys were carried out with a wide range of fans, including long-time followers and newcomers, to identify which terms would make things clearer of the main elements of the new regulations.

The key objective was to render a series of complex features of the racing as easy to grasp as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for some systems – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the adjustable aero – have been discarded in favor of descriptive names that clearly indicate the real-world effect of the technology.

What's the New Technology?

The FIA states that competitors will have more power to determine tactics regarding power usage, energy recovery, and saving energy.

The new regulations mandate a set of functions that will be clearly indicated on TV overlays to aid the fans' insight of the strategic duel.

• Attack Mode: This replaces the current DRS. It provides a surge of additional ERS power available when a car is within one second the vehicle in front to facilitate an pass.
• Power Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the ERS that can be utilized during offensive or defensive moves. It delivers the driver peak output at the push of a button.

Both of these key functions will have to be deployed strategically, as the available electrical charge is strictly limited.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the front and rear wings change configuration – spreading on the high-speed sections for reduced drag and top speed, and angling down in the bends for maximum downforce.
• Energy Harvesting: The system can harvest energy with regenerative braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in certain corners where only partial power is applied.

2026 Car Specifications

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

Total aerodynamic grip is anticipated to be reduced by approximately a significant margin, although squads will inevitably claw this back as they refine their designs.

Air resistance has been reduced by 40%. The vehicles will feature moveable wing elements – 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 keep 18-inch wheel 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 near-equal balance in horsepower generated by the ICE and the ERS, a rise from about 20% electrical under present rules.

The hybrid system is streamlined through the deletion of the MGU-H, the intricate and expensive device that harvested power from the exhaust turbo.

Every car on the grid will be required to run on 100% sustainable fuel, manufactured from biomass or lab-created processes.