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The world of Formula 1 has introduced the new terminology that will be used to explain the advanced features of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The sport is embarking on what is considered the largest technical shift in its long history next season, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the required adoption of 100% sustainable fuels.

The new power units, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, boast a greatly enhanced energy storage, driving significant developments in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Throughout races, drivers will strategically manage electrical energy – including during hot laps – to extract the optimal performance.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a diverse audience, including new, casual and core fans, to determine which phrases would aid comprehension of the key features of the 2026 changes.

The key objective was to render a range of advanced technical aspects 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 phased out in favour of descriptive names that directly explain the primary purpose of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

Regulators explain that drivers will have greater control to determine tactics regarding power usage, energy recovery, and efficiency.

The upcoming changes mandate a series of modes that will be clearly indicated on TV overlays to aid the audience's understanding of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This supersedes the present overtaking aid. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy accessible when a driver is within one second the car ahead to execute an overtaking maneuver.
• Power Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the ERS that can be deployed for attack or defence. It grants the driver peak output at the click of a switch.

Both of these key functions will have to be used with calculation, as the overall battery capacity is capped.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the nose and rear wings move automatically – opening on the straights for reduced drag and higher speed, and sealing in the turns for optimal cornering performance.
• Battery Recharge: Drivers can replenish their battery with power recovered from braking, or during partial power application at the straight's end or in corners where only limited engine output is applied.

Car Design Evolution

The next-generation machines will be more compact and lighter than this year, with a car length reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight lowered by 30kg.

Overall downforce is anticipated to be reduced by approximately 15-30%, although constructors will naturally regain performance as they refine their designs.

Drag has been reduced by 40%. The cars will utilize active aerodynamics – front and rear wings will adjust on the straights to reduce drag and enhance velocity and return into place for maximum cornering performance.

Pirelli tyres will continue to use 18-inch rims, but the rubber compounds will be narrower, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

What's Changing in the Engines?

The revised hybrid units will have an near-equal balance in power produced by the petrol engine and the ERS, increasing from about 20% electrical in the current formula.

The ERS setup is streamlined through the deletion of the MGU-H, the intricate and expensive unit that harvested power from the turbo.

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