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Formula 1 has revealed the new vocabulary that will be used to explain the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 rulebook.

The championship is implementing what is potentially the biggest rules overhaul in its long history for the 2026 campaign, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the required adoption of eco-friendly fuels.

The revised engines, which keep the hybrid V6 layout, boast a greatly enhanced battery power, driving major innovations in the cars' aerodynamics.

Throughout races, competitors will carefully oversee ERS energy – including during flying laps – to achieve the peak lap time.

Broad surveys were carried out with a mix of viewers, including new, casual and core fans, to identify which phrases would aid comprehension of the key features of the 2026 changes.

The primary aim was to render a set of intricate new areas of the sport as accessible as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, initial designations for some systems – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the active aerodynamics – have been abandoned in favour of descriptive names that succinctly convey the real-world effect of the innovation.

Key Technical Innovations

Regulators explain that competitors will have greater control to choose strategies regarding battery management, regeneration, and efficiency.

The new regulations introduce a range of settings that will be shown on broadcast screens to aid the audience's understanding of the strategic duel.

• Passing Mode: This replaces the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a short boost of battery power available when a competitor is close behind the car ahead to execute an pass.
• Power Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the energy recovery system that can be used in attack or defence. It grants the driver peak output at the click of a switch.

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

• Active Aero: Both the car's wings move automatically – opening on the long straight sections for low aerodynamic resistance and higher speed, and sealing in the bends for peak grip.
• Energy Harvesting: Cars can harvest energy with power recovered from braking, or during throttle lift at the conclusion of a straight or in sections where only reduced throttle is applied.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The vehicles for the new era will be more compact and lighter than this year, with a car length reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, width reduced by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight decreased by 30kg.

Total aerodynamic grip is anticipated to be reduced by approximately 15-30%, although squads will inevitably claw this back as they refine their designs.

Aerodynamic drag has been cut by 40%. The cars will feature adjustable aero systems – both wings will open on the straights to improve speed and increase straightline speed and click back into place for maximum cornering performance.

Wheels will keep 18-inch rims, 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 revised hybrid units will have an approximate 50-50 split in energy output by the internal combustion engine and the electrical system, up from about 20% battery contribution this year.

The ERS setup is streamlined through the deletion of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the complicated and costly unit that generated electricity from the turbocharger.

All vehicles will be mandated to operate on fully sustainable fuel, produced using organic sources or synthetic industrial processes.