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Formula 1 has revealed the simplified vocabulary that will be used to reference the advanced features of its upcoming 2026 rulebook.

The championship is implementing what is considered the largest regulation change in its long history starting in 2026, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the compulsory introduction of eco-friendly fuels.

The new power units, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a substantially higher electrical capacity, driving major innovations in the aero packages.

Throughout races, pilots will tactically deploy battery power – potentially on qualifying laps – to secure the best result.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a diverse audience, including long-time followers and newcomers, to identify which terminology would make things clearer of the main elements of the new regulations.

The primary aim was to render a series of complex new areas of the sport as accessible as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for certain devices – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the adjustable aero – have been abandoned in favor of descriptive names that succinctly convey the real-world effect of the innovation.

Key Technical Innovations

Regulators explain that racers will have increased agency to determine tactics regarding energy deployment, regeneration, and saving energy.

The upcoming changes feature a range of settings that will be visually displayed on television graphics to enhance the fans' insight of the strategic duel.

• Passing Mode: This takes over from the present overtaking aid. It provides a surge of additional ERS power deployable when a driver is close behind the leading car to facilitate an overtake.
• Boost Mode: This is a driver-operated battery discharge from the ERS that can be used in overtaking or defending. It delivers the driver full engine and battery energy at the activation of a control.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be deployed strategically, as the total energy is capped.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the nose and rear wings move automatically – opening on the straights for low aerodynamic resistance and higher speed, and sealing in the turns for peak grip.
• Battery Recharge: The system can recharge the energy store with energy harvested under braking, or during coasting at the conclusion of a straight or in certain corners where only limited engine output is required.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The next-generation machines will be reduced in size and weight than this year, with a distance between axles shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight lowered by 30kg.

Overall downforce is projected to decrease by approximately fifteen to thirty percent, although teams will undoubtedly recover some as they optimize their packages.

Drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will employ adjustable aero systems – both wings will open on the straight sections to cut resistance and enhance velocity and click back into place for maximum cornering performance.

Pirelli tyres will continue to use the current rim size, but the tyres themselves will be slimmer, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and 30mm at the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

The revised hybrid units will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in horsepower generated by the internal combustion engine and the ERS, up from about 20% electrical this year.

The ERS setup is simplified through the deletion of the MGU-H, the sophisticated and pricey unit that harvested power from the exhaust turbo.

Every car on the grid will be obliged to compete on fully sustainable fuel, created from biomass or lab-created processes.