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F1 has introduced the new vocabulary that will be used to reference the intricate details of its new 2026 regulations.

The championship is implementing what is potentially the biggest technical shift in its competitive history for the 2026 campaign, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the compulsory introduction of eco-friendly fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a greatly enhanced electrical capacity, requiring significant developments in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Throughout races, pilots will strategically manage battery power – sometimes even hot laps – to secure the peak performance.

Wide-ranging research were conducted with a diverse audience, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to determine which terms would make things clearer of the main elements of the 2026 changes.

The key objective was to present a set of intricate features of the competition as easy to grasp as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for specific components – such as "alphabetical mode names" for the active aerodynamics – have been abandoned in favour of straightforward terms that clearly indicate the primary purpose of the technology.

Exploring the New Tech

According to rule-makers that racers will have increased agency to choose strategies regarding power usage, energy recovery, and conservation.

The 2026 rules mandate a range of settings that will be shown on broadcast screens to enhance the viewers' comprehension of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This supersedes the current DRS. It provides a surge of additional ERS power accessible when a car is within one second the leading car to assist with an pass.
• Power Mode: This is a driver-operated energy deployment from the ERS that can be used in attack or defence. It grants the driver maximum power at the push of a button.

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

• Adjustable Aero: Both the nose and rear wings move automatically – spreading on the long straight sections for reduced drag and top speed, and closing in the bends for peak grip.
• Recharge: The system can recharge the energy store with power recovered from braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in certain corners where only limited engine output is applied.

What's Changing on the Cars?

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

Total aerodynamic grip is expected to drop by approximately 15-30%, although teams will undoubtedly recover some as they refine their designs.

Aerodynamic drag has been cut by 40%. The vehicles will employ active aerodynamics – front and rear wings will open on the straights to reduce drag and boost top speed and revert into place for maximum cornering performance.

Tyres will continue to use 18-inch rims, but the tyres themselves will be reduced in width, by 25mm at the front and 30mm at the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

The revised hybrid units will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in energy output by the internal combustion engine and the ERS, increasing from about 20% battery contribution under present rules.

The hybrid system is made less complex through the removal of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the intricate and expensive unit that recovered energy from the turbocharger.

All vehicles will be required to run on carbon-neutral fuel, manufactured from plant-based materials or synthetic production methods.