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F1 has unveiled the official terminology that will be used to explain the advanced features of its upcoming 2026 regulations.

The championship is embarking on what is arguably the biggest technical shift in its illustrious history starting in 2026, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the mandatory use of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a substantially higher energy storage, necessitating key advancements in the cars' aerodynamics.

Throughout races, competitors will carefully oversee ERS energy – sometimes even qualifying laps – to extract the best lap time.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a diverse audience, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which phrases would make things clearer of the central aspects of the 2026 changes.

The key objective was to make a set of intricate new areas of the sport as accessible as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, older technical labels for certain devices – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the moveable wings – have been abandoned in preference for straightforward terms that clearly indicate the actual function of the system.

Key Technical Innovations

The FIA states that drivers will have increased agency to determine tactics regarding power usage, regeneration, and conservation.

The new regulations feature a set of functions that will be visually displayed on TV overlays to improve the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This supersedes the present overtaking aid. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy deployable when a car is less than a second the leading car to assist with an pass.
• Power Mode: This is a manual power boost from the energy recovery system that can be deployed for overtaking or defending. It delivers the pilot peak output at the click of a switch.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be managed carefully, as the overall battery capacity is restricted.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the front and rear wings adjust their angles – spreading on the long straight sections for reduced drag and top speed, and sealing in the corners for peak grip.
• Recharge: The system can recharge the energy store with regenerative braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in sections where only reduced throttle is applied.

Car Design Evolution

The vehicles for the new era will be more compact and lighter compared to the 2025 spec, with a wheelbase cut by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight lowered by 30kg.

Overall downforce is anticipated to be reduced by approximately a significant margin, although constructors will naturally regain performance as they refine their designs.

Aerodynamic drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will employ adjustable aero systems – front and rear wings will adjust on the straights to improve speed and enhance velocity and click back into place for peak handling.

Pirelli tyres will retain 18-inch wheel rims, but the rubber compounds will be reduced in width, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and 30mm at the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The new power units will have an near-equal balance in horsepower generated by the petrol engine and the battery and motor, increasing from about one-fifth electric power this year.

The energy recovery system is simplified through the removal of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the complicated and costly device that harvested power from the exhaust turbo.

All vehicles will be mandated to operate on carbon-neutral fuel, manufactured from plant-based materials or synthetic industrial processes.