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The world of Formula 1 has revealed the official vocabulary that will be used to explain the intricate details of its upcoming 2026 rulebook.

The racing series is introducing what is arguably the biggest technical shift in its long history for the 2026 campaign, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the compulsory introduction of fully sustainable fuels.

The updated 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids, which keep the hybrid V6 layout, boast a significantly increased electrical capacity, necessitating major innovations in the aero packages.

Over a race distance, competitors will tactically deploy electrical energy – potentially on hot laps – to extract the peak performance.

Broad surveys were carried out with a wide range of fans, including new, casual and core fans, to identify which terms would make things clearer of the key features of the upcoming rules.

The key objective was to make a series of complex new areas of the sport as easy to grasp as possible for the global fanbase.

Consequently, older technical labels for certain devices – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the moveable wings – have been abandoned in preference for descriptive names that directly explain the actual function of the system.

What's the New Technology?

The FIA states that racers will have more power to determine tactics regarding battery management, energy recovery, and saving energy.

The upcoming changes mandate a series of modes that will be shown on television graphics to aid the viewers' comprehension of the race battle.

• Passing Mode: This replaces the current DRS. It provides a surge of additional ERS power available when a driver is within one second the car ahead to facilitate an pass.
• Boost Mode: This is a manual power boost from the energy recovery system that can be deployed for attack or defence. It grants the driver maximum power at the activation of a control.

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

• Active Aero: Both the nose and rear wings change configuration – spreading on the high-speed sections for low aerodynamic resistance and increased velocity, and sealing in the bends for peak grip.
• Battery Recharge: The system can harvest energy with power recovered from braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in sections where only limited engine output is used.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The vehicles for the new era will be more compact and lighter than this year, with a distance between axles shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the lowest permissible weight lowered by 30kg.

Overall downforce is projected to decrease by approximately 15-30%, although constructors will naturally regain performance as they develop their cars.

Drag has been slashed by 40%. The cars will utilize active aerodynamics – both wings will adjust on the straights to cut resistance and enhance velocity and revert into place for maximum cornering performance.

Tyres will continue to use the current rim size, but the tyres themselves will be slimmer, by 25mm at the front and three centimetres on the rear.

What's Changing in the Engines?

The 2026 engines will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in horsepower generated by the petrol engine and the battery and motor, increasing from about one-fifth electric power under present rules.

The hybrid system is made less complex through the elimination of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the sophisticated and pricey device that harvested power from the turbocharger.

Cars will be required to run on carbon-neutral fuel, manufactured from plant-based materials or lab-created processes.