Active Aero & Overtake Mode - Explaining F1's New Regulatory Jargon

The world of Formula 1 has introduced the new language that will be used to explain the intricate details of its revolutionary 2026 technical rules.

The racing series is introducing what is potentially the most significant rules overhaul in its long history next season, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the compulsory introduction of fully sustainable fuels.

The new power units, which maintain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a significantly increased energy storage, requiring significant developments in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Throughout races, pilots will strategically manage ERS energy – potentially on flying laps – to secure the best performance.

Extensive fan consultation were carried out with a diverse audience, including long-time followers and newcomers, to determine which terminology would aid comprehension of the main elements of the upcoming rules.

The primary aim was to make a series of complex new areas of the sport as accessible as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, initial designations for specific components – such as "modes labelled X and Z" for the adjustable aero – have been discarded in favour of straightforward terms that directly explain the real-world effect of the innovation.

What's the New Technology?

Regulators explain that competitors will have increased agency to make decisions regarding energy deployment, harvesting, and saving energy.

The 2026 rules mandate a series of modes that will be visually displayed on broadcast screens to enhance the viewers' comprehension of the on-track action.

• Passing Mode: This supersedes the present overtaking aid. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy deployable when a driver is close behind the car ahead to facilitate an pass.
• Boost Mode: This is a manual power boost from the hybrid system that can be used in attack or defence. It delivers the driver maximum power at the push of a button.

Both of these crucial modes will have to be managed carefully, as the overall battery capacity is strictly limited.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the nose and rear wings adjust their angles – spreading on the high-speed sections for low aerodynamic resistance and increased velocity, and sealing in the turns for optimal cornering performance.
• Recharge: Cars can recharge the energy store with power recovered from braking, or during partial power application at the end of straights or in sections where only reduced throttle is applied.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The vehicles for the new era will be more compact and lighter than this year, with a distance between axles reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall width reduced by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the lowest permissible weight lowered by 30kg.

Overall downforce is anticipated to be reduced by approximately a significant margin, although squads will undoubtedly recover some as they refine their designs.

Air resistance has been cut by 40%. The cars will utilize moveable wing elements – both wings will move on the straights to reduce drag and enhance velocity and click back into place for maximum cornering performance.

Tyres will continue to use 18-inch rims, but the actual tyres will be narrower, by 25mm at the front and 30 millimetres on the rear axle.

2026 Engine Regulations

The new power units will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the internal combustion engine and the battery and motor, up from about 20% battery contribution in the current formula.

The energy recovery system is made less complex through the deletion of the complex turbo energy recovery device, the complicated and costly unit that harvested power from the exhaust turbo.

Cars will be mandated to operate on carbon-neutral fuel, manufactured from biomass or synthetic industrial processes.