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F1 has revealed the new terminology that will be used to describe the advanced features of its new 2026 rulebook.

The championship is implementing what is potentially the most significant technical shift in its competitive history next season, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the required adoption of eco-friendly fuels.

The updated 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids, which keep the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a significantly increased energy storage, requiring major innovations in the cars' aerodynamics.

Over a race distance, pilots will tactically deploy electrical energy – sometimes even qualifying laps – to achieve the peak performance.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a diverse audience, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which terminology would make things clearer of the main elements of the upcoming rules.

The key objective was to render a set of intricate features of the sport as accessible as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for specific components – such as "alphabetical mode names" for the adjustable aero – have been phased out in preference for straightforward terms that directly explain the primary purpose of the technology.

What's the New Technology?

According to rule-makers that drivers will have more power to determine tactics regarding battery management, harvesting, and saving energy.

The upcoming changes feature a range of settings that will be visually displayed on broadcast screens to aid the audience's understanding of the race battle.

• Attack Mode: This takes over from the current DRS. It provides a surge of additional ERS power accessible when a driver is less than a second the car ahead to execute an pass.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a driver-operated power boost from the hybrid system that can be used in offensive or defensive moves. It grants the pilot maximum power at the click of a switch.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be used with calculation, as the available electrical charge is strictly limited.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the nose and rear wings adjust their angles – opening on the high-speed sections for minimal air resistance and higher speed, and sealing in the turns for maximum downforce.
• Energy Harvesting: Cars can recharge the energy store with energy harvested under braking, or during throttle lift at the straight's end or in certain corners where only partial power is applied.

2026 Car Specifications

The vehicles for the new era will be smaller and lighter than this year, with a car length shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight decreased by 30kg.

Overall downforce is expected to drop by approximately a significant margin, although teams will undoubtedly recover some as they develop their cars.

Air resistance has been slashed by 40%. The vehicles will utilize moveable wing elements – both wings will move on the straight sections to improve speed and boost top speed and revert into place for optimal grip in corners.

Tyres will retain the current rim size, but the rubber compounds will be slimmer, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The 2026 engines will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in energy output by the petrol engine and the ERS, up from about 20% electrical in the current formula.

The hybrid system is simplified through the removal of the MGU-H, the complicated and costly device that harvested power from the exhaust turbo.

Every car on the grid will be required to run on carbon-neutral fuel, manufactured from organic sources or synthetic industrial processes.