System 1 is introducing a brand new set of rules subsequent season. As with earlier important shifts within the rulebook, racing will play out barely otherwise on monitor and there is a new dictionary of terminology that followers will must be acquainted with. System 1 launched an explainer video on Wednesday to interrupt down what’s altering in 2026. Whereas small and lighter vehicles are straightforward to know at a look, the brand new energetic aerodynamics and energy deployment guidelines are far denser subjects to chew on.
System 1 and the @fia have right this moment revealed the 2026 Technical Rules.
2026 will see each the chassis and energy models up to date, within the largest overhaul of rules within the sport’s historical past. These modifications will shake up the order and create new pleasure, whereas delivering… pic.twitter.com/zRxRl0sI4f
— F1 Media (@F1Media) December 17, 2025
First, the Drag Discount System is gone. The movable rear-wing flap that has served as an overtaking support since 2011 will not be utilized in F1 subsequent season. As a substitute, each automobile will make the most of energetic aerodynamics persistently throughout race weekends. By way of movable entrance and rear wing components, there will likely be two distinct aero profiles: Nook Mode and Straight Mode. Nook Mode is the usual, high-downforce profile. Drivers can activate Straight Mode to flatten their automobile’s wing components for increased high speeds. The low-drag profile might be activated on each lap in designated high-speed monitor sections, whatever the automobile’s place relative to different vehicles. The rulemakers hope that lengthening braking zones will enhance overtaking.
F1’s new energy models will likely be easier however not much less highly effective
Moreover the aerodynamic modifications that we will see, there will even be new energy models underneath the engine cowl. The groups will nonetheless be utilizing turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 engines. Nonetheless, the accompanying hybrid system will likely be easier however thrice extra highly effective. Since 2014, F1 mandated using a dual-method hybrid system. The powertrain featured two Motor Generator Items (MGUs) that would harvest and deploy vitality.
The MGU-Okay, for kinetic, is a standard hybrid system linked to the crankshaft that harvests energy underneath braking. The MGU-H, for warmth, was a extra advanced system embedded inside the turbocharger. Alongside the mechanical linkage between the exhaust turbine and the compressor, the MGU-H transformed exhaust warmth into electrical energy, which might be used to spool the compressor. The outgoing F1 energy models have been state-of-the-art of their capabilities, particularly on condition that each MGUs have been required to be linked to a single battery. The technical complexity led to astronomic improvement prices that the producers now not needed to pay. The groups efficiently lobbied to drop the MGU-H going ahead.
With the 2026 energy models, the world championship hoped to roughly cut up the facility output 50-50 between combustion and electrical energy. The ICE will produce simply shy of 540 horsepower, whereas the brand new MGU-Okay will generate round 470 horsepower. Whereas the hybrid system may be easier, vitality administration will nonetheless be very important.
Extra energy at a value
F1’s new overtaking support will likely be centered across the new beefier MGU-Okay. The 2026 rules have formalized the prevailing button-press ECU override as “Increase Mode,” so drivers can entry their energy unit’s full 1,000+ hp output at any time when they need. Drivers can use it to each assault and defend. Nonetheless, it would drain their battery.
The passing benefit will come from the aptly-named “Overtake Mode.” Drivers will likely be allowed to make use of an additional 0.5 megajoules of vitality if they’re inside a second of the automobile forward. The system will likely be activated at a chosen level on the monitor, just like DRS, however it would stay energetic for the whole lap. Rulemakers consider that vehicles will derate at speeds over 180 miles per hour to preserve vitality over a lap. The extra vitality will imply {that a} automobile might run at full energy for longer down straights, utilizing the derate as a chance to overhaul. Briefly, a automobile in “Overtake Mode” will be capable of launch a extra sustained assault throughout that lap.
With these modifications, together with smaller and lighter vehicles, there’s loads to be excited for forward of the 2026 F1 season. To not point out, Cadillac is becoming a member of as an eleventh crew. The American crew will likely be utilizing a Ferrari energy unit because the automaker develops its personal engine, however you do not have to look far for a brand new badge on an engine cowl. Audi has taken over Sauber and is able to race its personal turbo-hybrid V6. It is exhausting to consider that testing is simply over a month away.
