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The world of Formula 1 has unveiled the simplified vocabulary that will be used to reference the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The sport is implementing what is arguably the largest technical shift in its illustrious history for the 2026 campaign, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the mandatory use of 100% sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a greatly enhanced energy storage, necessitating key advancements in the cars' aerodynamics.

During grand prix events, competitors will tactically deploy battery power – sometimes even flying laps – to secure the peak lap time.

Wide-ranging research were carried out with a wide range of fans, including long-time followers and newcomers, to determine which phrases would aid comprehension of the main elements of the 2026 changes.

The key objective was to make a series of complex new areas of the sport as accessible as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for some systems – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the moveable wings – have been abandoned in favour of intuitive labels that directly explain the primary purpose of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

The FIA states that racers will have greater control to make decisions regarding power usage, regeneration, and saving energy.

The 2026 rules mandate a set of functions that will be clearly indicated on television graphics to aid the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Passing Mode: This replaces the current DRS. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy deployable when a driver is less than a second the vehicle in front to facilitate an pass.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a on-demand battery discharge from the energy recovery system that can be deployed for offensive or defensive moves. It grants the pilot peak output at the click of a switch.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be used with calculation, as the total energy is restricted.

• Active Aero: Both the nose and rear wings change configuration – flattening on the straights for reduced drag and increased velocity, and sealing in the bends for peak grip.
• Energy Harvesting: Drivers can replenish their battery with energy harvested under braking, or during partial power application at the conclusion of a straight or in sections where only partial power is applied.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The 2026 cars will be more compact and lighter relative to current models, with a wheelbase cut by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight reduced by 30kg.

Total aerodynamic grip is projected to decrease by approximately a significant margin, although teams will undoubtedly recover some as they optimize their packages.

Drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will feature active aerodynamics – front and rear wings will move on the straights to reduce drag and boost top speed and revert into place for peak handling.

Wheels will continue to use 18-inch rims, but the rubber compounds will be narrower, by a quarter-centimetre on the front and 30mm at the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

The revised hybrid units will have an approximate 50-50 split in energy output by the petrol engine and the ERS, up from about 20% electrical in the current formula.

The ERS setup is made less complex through the elimination of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly component that generated electricity from the exhaust turbo.

Every car on the grid will be required to run on 100% sustainable fuel, created from biomass or synthetic production methods.