Overtake Mode & Active Aero - Understanding F1's Fresh Technical Terminology

F1 has revealed the simplified vocabulary that will be used to describe the advanced features of its upcoming 2026 regulations.

The racing series is implementing what is potentially the largest regulation change in its illustrious history for the 2026 campaign, featuring new chassis and engine rules and the compulsory introduction of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which keep the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a greatly enhanced battery power, driving key advancements in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

During grand prix events, drivers will carefully oversee ERS energy – potentially on hot laps – to secure the best performance.

Wide-ranging research were conducted with a mix of viewers, including new, casual and core fans, to determine which terms would aid comprehension of the main elements of the upcoming rules.

The key objective was to present a series of complex features of the competition as accessible as possible for the broadest viewership.

Consequently, previous placeholder terms for certain devices – such as "x-mode and z-mode" for the moveable wings – have been abandoned in favor of intuitive labels that succinctly convey the primary purpose of the innovation.

Exploring the New Tech

Regulators explain that drivers will have increased agency to determine tactics regarding power usage, energy recovery, and efficiency.

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

• Attack Mode: This replaces the present overtaking aid. It provides a burst of extra electrical energy deployable when a competitor is within one second the leading car to facilitate an overtake.
• Power Mode: This is a driver-operated power boost from the energy recovery system that can be deployed for overtaking or defending. It provides the driver full engine and battery energy at the activation of a control.

Both of these key functions will have to be used with calculation, as the available electrical charge is capped.

• Active Aerodynamics: Both the front and rear wings adjust their angles – opening on the long straight sections for reduced drag and increased velocity, and sealing in the bends for peak grip.
• Battery Recharge: The system can harvest energy with energy harvested under braking, or during coasting at the conclusion of a straight or in corners where only limited engine output is used.

What's Changing on the Cars?

The next-generation machines will be reduced in size and weight relative to current models, with a distance between axles reduced by 200mm to 3,400mm, width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the car weight lowered by 30kg.

Cumulative downforce is anticipated to be reduced by approximately 15-30%, although teams will inevitably claw this back as they refine their designs.

Air resistance has been reduced by 40%. The cars will employ adjustable aero systems – front and rear wings will move on the straight sections to cut resistance and increase straightline speed and click back into place for peak handling.

Tyres will continue to use 18-inch wheel rims, but the tyres themselves will be slimmer, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

Power Unit Revolution

The 2026 engines will have an approximate 50-50 split in horsepower generated by the petrol engine and the ERS, up from about 20% electrical under present rules.

The ERS setup is streamlined through the elimination of the Motor Generator Unit – Heat, the intricate and expensive unit that recovered energy from the turbo.

All vehicles will be mandated to operate on fully sustainable fuel, produced using plant-based materials or synthetic industrial processes.