From 2026, Formula 1 introduces lighter and more agile cars with advanced active aerodynamics and hybrid engines on sustainable fuels, thereby redefining technical standards and increasing the role of the driver
Formula 1 is preparing for the biggest rule change in more than a decade, which will come into force in 2026. The new technical rulebook, in force from next season, is focused on creating more agile and lighter cars, and therefore, they hope in the umbrella organization FIA, racing will be more exciting and unpredictable. In addition to the technical characteristics of the car, the performance and results will depend more on the driver and tactics, while the teams will have more strategic options within the race itself than before, and the drivers will be able to control the new functions of the car as they wish.
First of all, the cars will be shorter and narrower (by 100 mm), with a 200 mm smaller wheelbase, which should enable better cornering behavior and easier overtaking on narrow parts of the track. With narrower Pirelli 18-inch tires and the removal of the arches above the front wheels, the goal is to reduce air resistance and the overall weight of the vehicle, while a flatter floor, with larger diffusers and devoid of long Venturi tunnels, will allow a wider range of car settings adapted to different driving styles. By the latter change of thrust forces (downforce) generated on the floor, which was heavily relied on by cars in the past years, is reduced by about 30%.
In order to compensate for the lack of force generated under the car, one of the most significant innovations for the new era of Formula 1 is being introduced – the introduction of active aerodynamics. The cars will be able to adjust the angles of the front and rear wings depending on the part of the track they are on. In the corners, the standard position will be used for maximum grip, while on the straights, the drivers will activate the low resistance system (low-drag mode). This abolishes DRS in its current form, because opening the wings will be available to all drivers in every lap on the designated sections, regardless of the distance between the cars.
New racing tactics
Although the classic DRS is retired, the strategic battle becomes more complex with the introduction of “Overtake Mode”. This system for overtaking will be available to the driver who is within one second behind the rival (like DRS before), but it will not give him an aerodynamic but an energy advantage. By pressing the Overtake button, the drive gets access to additional electrical energy for overtaking. In addition, drivers will have at their disposal the so-called “Boost” button, which can be used for both attack and defense, depending on the remaining energy in the battery, on any part of the track. Drivers will also have direct control over the battery charging process (“Recharge”), choosing between different modes of operation in collaboration with their engineers.
The powertrains will experience a complete redesign, with a power ratio of approximately 50:50 between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. Although the 1.6-liter V6 turbo hybrid remains the same, the power of the electric motor will be tripled, while the energy recovery system (ERS) will be able to regenerate twice as much energy per lap. The expensive and complex MGU-H system is withdrawn from use, which, along with the greater road relevance of the new technology, attracted manufacturers such as Audi, Ford (along with Red Bull) and General Motors (from 2029), while Honda officially returns to the competition from next year, wanting to take advantage of the “reset” of technical rules.
Sustainability and security
For the first time in history, Formula 1 cars will use exclusively advanced sustainable fuels derived from sources such as carbon capture, municipal waste and non-food biomass. Fuels of this type have already been tested in the F2 and F3 series, and must meet strict independent sustainability certifications. This approach is aligned with the sport’s ambition to remain a technological leader while reducing its environmental footprint, which was also a key factor in attracting new teams.
Safety standards will be further tightened through more rigorous survival tests. Protective arc (roll hoop) will be reinforced to withstand a 23% higher load. Also, the front impact mitigation structure is designed to separate in two stages, providing better protection in multi-impact accidents. The new rules are the result of cooperation between the FIA, teams and commercial rights holders, with the aim of creating a competition that is both faster, safer and more tactically demanding for the drivers themselves.
In addition to the technical regulations, the FIA and Formula 1 have published their renderings, created on the basis of technical descriptions, which show the approximate appearance of the cars for the 2026 season. We will see what the real cars will look like at the beginning of the year, when the teams start presenting them. The first race of the new season is scheduled for the first weekend of March next year.
More about the new jargon
Tactical Attack: Overtake Mode
Completely new in 2026 is “Overtake Mode”, a performance aid designed exclusively to encourage overtaking. This operating mode becomes available to the driver only in situations where he is within one second behind the car in front at the detection point, which is nominally located in the last corner. By activating this system, the driver gets the possibility to regenerate an additional 0.5 MJ of energy. The application of this system will be most effective on long routes, where the additional energy enables the maximum speed to be maintained for a longer period of time, which directly facilitates the reduction of the gap and, ultimately, overtaking.
Formula 1
Power management: Boost
The “Boost” button represents the evolution of previous energy distribution systems. Drivers will have the option to press a button at any time during the lap to activate the stored energy. This pressure changes the settings of the power unit, returning it to maximum power or activating a specific profile that the team has adapted to their strategic needs. Theoretically, this system serves both offense and defense. The available power can be used all at once or distributed throughout the round, depending on the tactics.
Energy renewal: Recharge
The process of charging the battery, known as “Recharge”, will be largely automated. The cars will collect energy during braking, at partial throttle or in the phase of “super clipping” – collecting energy at the end of the straight while the engine is still under full load. The effectiveness of this process will depend on the track profile and regulatory limits for the particular circuit. The only aspect of energy recovery that will be under the direct control of the driver is the energy regeneration during the throttle release phase prior to corner entry. However, such a move carries a tactical risk as its use will automatically deactivate the active aerodynamic systems. In contrast, during “super clipping” under full throttle, the active aerodynamics systems remain active.
Formula 1
Dynamic wings: Active Aero
The biggest visual and technical change comes in the form of active aerodynamics, a system that will dynamically change the angles of the front and rear wings on the track. In turns, the wings will be in the “closed” position to ensure the necessary thrust, while on the straights they will switch to the “open” position, which drastically reduces air resistance and increases the car’s maximum speed. Drivers will manually open the wings in the designated zones, which will be more numerous than in the case of DRS. The system will automatically shut down when braking or accelerating, and for the first time, distance-based auto-off zones are introduced within the circle to prevent the dangerous use of open wings in unexpected turns.