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Formula 1 has introduced the official language that will be used to describe the intricate details of its upcoming 2026 technical rules.

The sport is embarking on what is considered the largest regulation change in its illustrious history starting in 2026, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the compulsory introduction of fully sustainable fuels.

The new power units, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a substantially higher electrical capacity, necessitating key advancements in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Throughout races, competitors will carefully oversee battery power – potentially on flying laps – to extract the optimal lap time.

Wide-ranging research were carried out with a wide range of fans, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to determine which terminology would improve understanding of the central aspects of the 2026 changes.

The key objective was to present a range of advanced new areas of the competition as easy to grasp as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, older technical labels for certain devices – such as "alphabetical mode names" for the adjustable aero – have been abandoned in preference for intuitive labels that directly explain the actual function of the technology.

Key Technical Innovations

The FIA states that racers will have increased agency to choose strategies regarding energy deployment, energy recovery, and saving energy.

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

• Attack Mode: This supersedes the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a surge of additional ERS power available when a driver is less than a second the vehicle in front to execute an overtaking maneuver.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a driver-operated energy deployment from the energy recovery system that can be utilized during overtaking or defending. It delivers the pilot maximum power at the activation of a control.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be deployed strategically, as the available electrical charge is capped.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the front and rear wings adjust their angles – spreading on the long straight sections for reduced drag and higher speed, and sealing in the turns for optimal cornering performance.
• Battery Recharge: The system can recharge the energy store with power recovered from braking, or during partial power application at the conclusion of a straight or in sections where only partial power is applied.

2026 Car Specifications

The 2026 cars will be smaller and lighter than this year, with a distance between axles reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight reduced by 30kg.

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

Aerodynamic drag has been cut by 40%. The cars will utilize adjustable aero systems – both wings will adjust on the straight sections to cut resistance and boost top speed and return into place for peak handling.

Tyres will retain the current rim size, but the actual tyres will be reduced in width, by a quarter-centimetre on the front and 30mm at the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

The 2026 engines will have an approximate 50-50 split in horsepower generated by the ICE and the ERS, up from about one-fifth electric power in the current formula.

The ERS setup is made less complex through the removal of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly unit that harvested power from the turbo.

All vehicles will be required to run on fully sustainable fuel, produced using plant-based materials or lab-created processes.