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F1 has revealed the new language that will be used to explain the advanced features of its upcoming 2026 rulebook.

The racing series is embarking on what is considered the most significant technical shift in its long history next season, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the mandatory use of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid, boast a greatly enhanced battery power, requiring key advancements in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

During grand prix events, drivers will strategically manage ERS energy – including during qualifying laps – to extract the peak lap time.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a mix of viewers, including new, casual and core fans, to identify which terms would improve understanding of the central aspects of the upcoming rules.

The stated goal was to make a series of complex new areas of the sport as straightforward as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, older technical labels for specific components – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the adjustable aero – have been phased out in favour of straightforward terms that succinctly convey the actual function of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

According to rule-makers that drivers will have increased agency to choose strategies regarding energy deployment, harvesting, and saving energy.

The upcoming changes feature a set of functions that will be shown on TV overlays to aid the audience's understanding of the on-track action.

• Overtake Mode: This supersedes the current DRS. It provides a surge of additional ERS power available when a driver is close behind the car ahead to facilitate an overtake.
• Boost Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the hybrid system that can be utilized during offensive or defensive moves. It delivers the driver full engine and battery energy at the click of a switch.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be deployed strategically, as the available electrical charge is restricted.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the nose and rear wings adjust their angles – spreading on the high-speed sections for reduced drag and higher speed, and sealing in the corners for peak grip.
• Battery Recharge: The system can harvest energy with regenerative braking, or during throttle lift at the straight's end or in sections where only limited engine output is applied.

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, overall width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the lowest permissible weight decreased by 30kg.

Overall downforce is projected to decrease by approximately a significant margin, although squads will inevitably claw this back as they develop their cars.

Air resistance has been cut by 40%. The vehicles will utilize moveable wing elements – both wings will move on the straights to reduce drag and increase straightline speed and click back into place for maximum cornering performance.

Pirelli tyres will continue to use 18-inch wheel rims, but the rubber compounds will be reduced in width, 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 roughly half-and-half distribution in energy output by the ICE and the battery and motor, a rise from about 20% electrical under present rules.

The hybrid system is simplified through the removal of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly device that generated electricity from the turbocharger.

All vehicles will be obliged to compete on fully sustainable fuel, created from biomass or lab-created processes.