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Formula 1 has revealed the new vocabulary that will be used to explain the technical complexities of its new 2026 technical rules.

The championship is implementing what is considered the largest technical shift in its competitive history next season, featuring revised car and engine specifications and the compulsory introduction of eco-friendly fuels.

The new power units, which retain the hybrid V6 layout, boast a greatly enhanced battery power, driving significant developments in the cars' aerodynamics.

Over a race distance, competitors will carefully oversee electrical energy – sometimes even hot laps – to achieve the optimal result.

Extensive fan consultation were conducted with a wide range of fans, including long-time followers and newcomers, to understand which terms would make things clearer of the key features of the upcoming rules.

The key objective was to present a range of advanced technical aspects of the racing as straightforward as possible for the widest audience.

Consequently, older technical labels for specific components – such as "alphabetical mode names" for the adjustable aero – have been phased out in favour of descriptive names that directly explain the real-world effect of the system.

Key Technical Innovations

According to rule-makers that racers will have more power to determine tactics regarding power usage, energy recovery, and conservation.

The upcoming changes feature a set of functions that will be shown on broadcast screens to aid the audience's understanding of the strategic duel.

• Overtake Mode: This replaces the existing Drag Reduction System. It provides a surge of additional ERS power available when a car is within one second the car ahead to assist with an pass.
• Extra Push Mode: This is a manual power boost from the ERS that can be utilized during offensive or defensive moves. It delivers the driver peak output at the click of a switch.

Both of these strategic tools will have to be used with calculation, as the total energy is capped.

• Adjustable Aero: Both the front and rear wings change configuration – spreading on the long straight sections for low aerodynamic resistance and increased velocity, and angling down in the turns for peak grip.
• Energy Harvesting: Cars can harvest energy with power recovered from braking, or during coasting at the straight's end or in sections where only limited engine output is required.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The vehicles for the new era will be more compact and lighter relative to current models, with a wheelbase cut by 200mm to 3,400mm, width reduced by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight reduced by 30kg.

Total aerodynamic grip is anticipated to be reduced by approximately fifteen to thirty percent, although squads will inevitably claw this back as they optimize their packages.

Aerodynamic drag has been cut by 40%. The vehicles will feature active aerodynamics – both wings will open on the straights to cut resistance and boost top speed and revert into place for optimal grip in corners.

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

What's Changing in the Engines?

The new power units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the ICE and the ERS, increasing from about 20% battery contribution under present rules.

The ERS setup is made less complex through the elimination of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly unit that recovered energy from the turbocharger.

All vehicles will be mandated to operate on fully sustainable fuel, created from plant-based materials or synthetic production methods.