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Formula 1 has revealed the new vocabulary that will be used to reference the advanced features of its upcoming 2026 technical rules.

The championship is introducing what is potentially the biggest technical shift in its long history starting in 2026, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the mandatory use of eco-friendly fuels.

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

Over a race distance, competitors will tactically deploy ERS energy – potentially on flying laps – to secure the optimal result.

Wide-ranging research were conducted with a diverse audience, including dedicated enthusiasts and casual observers, to identify which terminology would make things clearer of the central aspects of the 2026 changes.

The primary aim was to render a series of complex features of the racing as easy to grasp as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, older technical labels for some systems – such as "alphabetical mode names" for the moveable wings – have been discarded in favor of descriptive names that clearly indicate the actual function of the system.

Key Technical Innovations

Regulators explain that drivers will have increased agency to choose strategies regarding energy deployment, regeneration, and conservation.

The new regulations introduce a set of functions that will be shown on television graphics to aid the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Attack Mode: This supersedes the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a surge of additional ERS power accessible when a car is within one second the car ahead to facilitate an pass.
• Power Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the hybrid system that can be deployed for offensive or defensive moves. It provides the pilot peak output at the push of a button.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be managed carefully, as the available electrical charge is capped.

• Active Aero: Both the nose and rear wings move automatically – opening on the high-speed sections for low aerodynamic resistance and increased velocity, and sealing in the corners for peak grip.
• Energy Harvesting: Cars can replenish their battery with energy harvested under braking, or during throttle lift at the end of straights or in certain corners where only partial power is applied.

What's Changing on the Cars?

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

Cumulative downforce is projected to decrease by approximately a significant margin, although teams will inevitably claw this back as they refine their designs.

Air resistance has been reduced by 40%. The cars will employ adjustable aero systems – both wings will move on the straight sections to cut resistance and boost top speed and revert into place for peak handling.

Wheels will keep the current rim size, but the rubber compounds will be slimmer, by 25mm at the front and 30 millimetres on the rear axle.

Power Unit Revolution

The revised hybrid units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the internal combustion engine and the battery and motor, a rise from about 20% battery contribution under present rules.

The energy recovery system is streamlined through the deletion of the MGU-H, the intricate and expensive device that harvested power from the turbo.

All vehicles will be required to run on carbon-neutral fuel, created from biomass or lab-created processes.