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Formula 1 has revealed the official vocabulary that will be used to reference the intricate details of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The sport is implementing what is arguably the biggest regulation change in its long history for the 2026 campaign, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the required adoption of eco-friendly fuels.

The revised engines, which maintain the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, boast a significantly increased battery power, necessitating major innovations in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Over a race distance, drivers will strategically manage battery power – potentially on flying laps – to secure the peak performance.

Broad surveys were carried out with a wide range of fans, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to understand which terms would make things clearer of the main elements of the 2026 changes.

The key objective was to render a set of intricate features of the sport as straightforward as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for some systems – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the adjustable aero – have been abandoned in preference for descriptive names that directly explain the real-world effect of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

According to rule-makers that drivers will have greater control to determine tactics regarding energy deployment, harvesting, and saving energy.

The new regulations mandate a set of functions that will be shown on television graphics to enhance the viewers' comprehension of the race battle.

• Passing Mode: This takes over from the current DRS. It provides a short boost of battery power available when a car is within one second the car ahead to facilitate an overtaking maneuver.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a on-demand power boost from the hybrid system that can be utilized during attack or defence. It grants the driver peak output at the push of a button.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be used with calculation, as the available electrical charge is strictly limited.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the front and rear wings adjust their angles – spreading on the long straight sections for low aerodynamic resistance and top speed, and sealing in the turns for optimal cornering performance.
• Energy Harvesting: Drivers can recharge the energy store with energy harvested under braking, or during coasting at the straight's end or in corners where only limited engine output is required.

Car Design Evolution

The next-generation machines will be reduced in size and weight compared to the 2025 spec, with a distance between axles cut by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width reduced by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the lowest permissible weight decreased by 30kg.

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

Drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will utilize adjustable aero systems – both wings will move on the straight sections to improve speed and increase straightline speed and click back into place for peak handling.

Wheels will keep 18-inch rims, but the rubber compounds will be slimmer, by a quarter-centimetre on the front and three centimetres on the rear.

What's Changing in the Engines?

The new power units will have an approximate 50-50 split in energy output by the petrol engine and the electrical system, increasing from about one-fifth electric power under present rules.

The ERS setup is streamlined through the deletion of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly device that generated electricity from the exhaust turbo.

Cars will be required to run on carbon-neutral fuel, created from organic sources or synthetic production methods.