A closer look at the new Formula 1 regulations for 2026
Published on 18 December 2025 by Misha van der Kroon
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the final chapter of the ‘ground-effect’ era, with Formula 1 cars set to undergo a major transformation from next season. The power units in particular will change significantly, but the chassis and aerodynamics are also set for a complete overhaul. Today, the FIA provided further clarity on the new regulations, including the official terminology for the latest technical innovations.
From 2026, drivers will have three different engine modes at their disposal, operated via buttons on the steering wheel: boost, overtake and recharge. Each mode influences the amount of power available in a different way.
The overtake mode effectively replaces the DRS system, which has been in use from 2011 up to and including this year. As with DRS, the overtake mode can only be activated when running within one second of the car ahead. The difference is that overtaking opportunities will no longer be created by opening the rear wing, but by deploying additional electrical power.
The boost mode is comparable to the former KERS system, which was used between 2009 and 2013. Drivers can deploy this mode for an entire lap to draw extra electrical power from the battery. That energy is then replenished via the recharge mode, which operates in braking zones and through more twisty sections of the circuit. The combination of these three modes is set to offer more tactical options during a race.
In addition, Formula 1 will introduce active aerodynamics, featuring a Corner Mode and a Straight Mode. Drivers will be able to adjust the wing settings themselves while driving, using controls on the steering wheel. The FIA describes Straight Mode as the configuration in which the front and rear wings open to reduce drag and allow for higher top speeds. This mode may be used on designated straight sections. In Corner Mode, the wings return to their standard position, generating more downforce so the car performs optimally through the corners.
As previously announced, the cars will also become more compact and lighter next year. The minimum weight will drop from 800 kg in 2025 to 770 kg in 2026. The wheelbase will be shortened by 200 millimetres, the chassis will be 100 millimetres narrower and the tyres will also be slightly slimmer to save additional weight.
One of the main goals of the new regulations is to reduce the turbulent air behind the cars. As a result, the wheel covers will disappear and the floor will be revised. The 2026 cars are expected to produce around forty percent less drag and between fifteen and thirty percent less downforce than their predecessors, allowing drivers to follow each other more closely.
