Overtake Mode & Active Aero - Decoding F1's New Technical Jargon

F1 has unveiled the new vocabulary that will be used to explain the advanced features of its new 2026 regulations.

The sport is introducing what is arguably the largest rules overhaul in its long history next season, featuring fresh chassis and power unit regulations and the mandatory use of fully sustainable fuels.

The revised engines, which retain the 1.6-litre V6 configuration, boast a substantially higher battery power, requiring key advancements in the vehicles' aerodynamic design.

Throughout races, competitors will tactically deploy electrical energy – potentially on flying laps – to extract the optimal performance.

Wide-ranging research were conducted with a diverse audience, including new, casual and core fans, to understand which terms would aid comprehension of the key features of the new regulations.

The key objective was to present a series of complex new areas of the competition as easy to grasp 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 preference for straightforward terms that directly explain the primary purpose of the technology.

Exploring the New Tech

According to rule-makers that competitors will have more power to make decisions regarding battery management, harvesting, and efficiency.

The upcoming changes introduce a set of functions that will be clearly indicated on TV overlays to improve the fans' insight of the race battle.

• Overtake Mode: This takes over from the present overtaking aid. It provides a short boost of battery power deployable when a competitor is less than a second the vehicle in front to execute an overtaking maneuver.
• Power Mode: This is a manual energy deployment from the energy recovery system that can be utilized during overtaking or defending. It grants the driver maximum power at the click of a switch.

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

• Adjustable Aero: Both the car's wings move automatically – spreading on the high-speed sections for reduced drag and top speed, and angling down in the bends for maximum downforce.
• Energy Harvesting: The system can harvest energy with regenerative braking, or during throttle lift at the conclusion of a straight or in sections where only partial power is applied.

Car Design Evolution

The vehicles for the new era will be reduced in size and weight compared to the 2025 spec, with a distance between axles shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, width cut by 100mm – down to 1,900mm – and the minimum weight reduced by 30kg.

Total aerodynamic grip is anticipated to be reduced by approximately 15-30%, although constructors will undoubtedly recover some as they optimize their packages.

Drag has been reduced by 40%. The cars will employ adjustable aero systems – both wings will move on the straights to improve speed and boost top speed and revert into place for optimal grip in corners.

Pirelli tyres will retain the current rim size, but the actual tyres will be slimmer, by 25 millimetres on the front axle and three centimetres on the rear.

2026 Engine Regulations

The 2026 engines will have an roughly half-and-half distribution in energy output by the ICE and the electrical system, increasing from about 20% battery contribution under present rules.

The ERS setup is simplified through the removal of the MGU-H, the complicated and costly component that generated electricity from the turbocharger.

Cars will be mandated to operate on fully sustainable fuel, manufactured from biomass or synthetic production methods.