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F1 has unveiled the official vocabulary that will be used to reference the intricate details of its revolutionary 2026 regulations.

The sport is embarking on what is arguably the most significant rules overhaul in its long history next season, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the required adoption of eco-friendly fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a substantially higher energy storage, requiring key advancements in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

During grand prix events, competitors will tactically deploy battery power – potentially on hot laps – to achieve the best lap time.

Wide-ranging research were undertaken with a diverse audience, including new, casual and core fans, to determine which terminology would aid comprehension of the central aspects of the upcoming rules.

The key objective was to make a set of intricate technical aspects of the competition as straightforward as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, older technical labels for certain devices – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the adjustable aero – have been abandoned in preference for straightforward terms that directly explain the primary purpose of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

The FIA states that competitors will have more power to choose strategies regarding energy deployment, harvesting, and efficiency.

The upcoming changes mandate a range of settings that will be shown on TV overlays to aid the fans' insight of the on-track action.

• Overtake Mode: This takes over from the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a short boost of battery power available when a car is close behind the car ahead to assist with an pass.
• Boost Mode: This is a on-demand energy deployment from the hybrid system that can be deployed for attack or defence. It provides the pilot full engine and battery energy at the click of a switch.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be deployed strategically, as the total energy is restricted.

• Active Aero: Both the nose and rear wings adjust their angles – spreading on the straights for reduced drag and top speed, and angling down in the corners for optimal cornering performance.
• Energy Harvesting: Drivers can replenish their battery with regenerative braking, or during coasting at the straight's end or in certain corners where only limited engine output is used.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The 2026 cars will be smaller and lighter relative to current models, with a wheelbase shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, car width narrowed by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight decreased by 30kg.

Cumulative downforce is projected to decrease by approximately a significant margin, although constructors will inevitably claw this back as they optimize their packages.

Air resistance has been cut by 40%. The cars will employ adjustable aero systems – front and rear wings will move on the straight sections to cut resistance and enhance velocity and click back into place for maximum cornering performance.

Wheels will retain the current rim size, but the tyres themselves will be narrower, by 25mm at the front and 30mm at the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The revised hybrid units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the ICE and the battery and motor, increasing from about one-fifth electric power in the current formula.

The hybrid system is simplified through the elimination of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the sophisticated and pricey unit that generated electricity from the turbo.

Cars will be mandated to operate on 100% sustainable fuel, produced using biomass or synthetic production methods.