The rules
F1's 2026 rules explained: new cars, new engines, overtake mode
2026 brought the biggest change to Formula 1's rules in more than a decade: new engines, new aerodynamics and a new way to overtake. Here's what's different, and what it means when you watch.
New engines: roughly half electric
The power units are still 1.6-litre turbo V6 hybrids, but the balance has shifted. The electric motor now provides close to half of the car's peak power, up to 350 kW, three times as much as before. The complex MGU-H, which recovered energy from the turbo, has gone, and the engines run on fully sustainable fuel. The rules attracted new manufacturers: Audi took over the Sauber team, Ford partnered Red Bull's new in-house engine programme, and Honda returned as Aston Martin's works engine supplier.
Active aero replaces DRS
DRS, the rear-wing flap a driver could open when within one second of the car ahead, is gone. Instead, both the front and rear wings move between two settings:
- Corner mode is the normal, high-downforce setting.
- Straight mode opens the wing flaps to cut drag on designated straights. Every driver can use it, whether or not they're chasing anyone. It's about efficiency, not overtaking.
Overtake mode and boost
The new overtaking aid is electrical. A driver within one second of the car ahead at the detection point gets overtake mode: extra battery energy to use on the next lap, and full electric power at higher speeds than the car in front can use. Boost is the everyday version: drivers can deploy their stored battery energy anywhere on the lap with a button, in short bursts or all at once to attack or defend.
Because the battery has to be recharged under braking and at part throttle, energy management has become a big part of racing. You'll hear about drivers "harvesting" or "clipping" at the end of straights.
Smaller, lighter cars and narrower tyres
The cars are shorter and narrower than the 2022–2025 generation and lighter, which helps them race closer on twisty tracks. Pirelli's tyres stay at 18 inches but are slightly narrower, and the softest C6 compound was dropped: see tyres and strategy.
Eleven teams, 22 cars
Cadillac joined as the eleventh team, the first new team since 2016. With 22 cars, six drivers now drop out in each of Q1 and Q2 instead of five; see how qualifying works.
Follow it in the data
New rules usually shake up the order, and 2026 has been no exception. The teams page shows how each car has performed across the season, and the drivers page how each driver measures up against their teammate.
