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Formula 1 has revealed the official terminology that will be used to reference the technical complexities of its new 2026 rulebook.

The championship is implementing what is considered the largest regulation change in its competitive history for the 2026 campaign, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the mandatory use of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a substantially higher battery power, necessitating key advancements in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

During grand prix events, pilots will carefully oversee ERS energy – potentially on qualifying laps – to achieve the best result.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a mix of viewers, including new, casual and core fans, to identify which terminology would improve understanding of the main elements of the upcoming rules.

The stated goal was to render a set of intricate new areas of the racing as easy to grasp as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, initial designations for some systems – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the moveable wings – have been abandoned in favor of intuitive labels that directly explain the real-world effect of the technology.

Key Technical Innovations

Regulators explain that drivers will have increased agency to determine tactics regarding battery management, harvesting, and conservation.

The 2026 rules feature a set of functions that will be clearly indicated on TV overlays to enhance the fans' insight of the on-track action.

• Passing Mode: This supersedes the present overtaking aid. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy available when a car is close behind the car ahead to assist with an overtaking maneuver.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a manual battery discharge from the energy recovery system that can be utilized during overtaking or defending. It provides the driver maximum power at the push of a button.

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

• Active Aero: Both the nose and rear wings change configuration – opening on the long straight sections for minimal air resistance and increased velocity, and sealing in the bends for optimal cornering performance.
• Energy Harvesting: The system can harvest energy with power recovered from braking, or during coasting at the straight's end or in sections where only limited engine output is used.

Car Design Evolution

The 2026 cars will be more compact and lighter compared to the 2025 spec, with a distance between axles cut by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight decreased by 30kg.

Total aerodynamic grip is anticipated to be reduced by approximately a significant margin, although constructors will naturally regain performance as they refine their designs.

Aerodynamic drag has been cut by 40%. The vehicles will employ active aerodynamics – both wings will adjust on the straights to reduce drag and increase straightline speed and revert into place for optimal grip in corners.

Tyres will retain 18-inch wheel rims, but the rubber compounds will be slimmer, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and 30 millimetres on the rear axle.

2026 Engine Regulations

The revised hybrid units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the ICE and the ERS, a rise from about 20% battery contribution this year.

The hybrid system is simplified through the elimination of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the intricate and expensive device that harvested power from the exhaust turbo.

Cars will be obliged to compete on carbon-neutral fuel, manufactured from biomass or lab-created processes.