The 2026 Formula 1 technical regulations represent the most significant overhaul of the sport's rules in over a decade. DRS has been removed entirely, replaced by a suite of new systems designed to improve overtaking while rewarding driver skill. Here is a breakdown of every major change ahead of the season opener at Albert Park.
Active Aerodynamics: Wings That Move
For the first time in F1 history, cars feature full-time active aerodynamics. Front and rear wing flaps dynamically adjust their angle depending on where the car is on the circuit. On straights, flaps open to a low-drag configuration — flattening the wings, reducing drag and increasing top speed. In corners, flaps return to their default closed position for maximum downforce.
Unlike DRS, which required a car to be within one second of the car ahead and was limited to designated zones, active aero operates continuously. Every car benefits from reduced drag on straights regardless of proximity to rivals.
Overtake Mode: The New Attacking Weapon
When a car gets within one second of the car ahead at a designated detection point, it gains access to overtake mode — an additional burst of electrical energy available for the entire following lap. The crucial difference from DRS is strategic: the driver decides when and where to deploy the extra power. It can be used all at once for a single massive straight-line boost, or spread across several acceleration zones throughout the lap.
The Boost Button
Separate from overtake mode, every car has a boost button that allows manual control of energy deployment for attack or defence. This triggers a change in power unit settings — either maximum power or a team-configured profile. The energy can be deployed instantly or distributed across multiple corners.
Smaller, Lighter Cars
The 2026 cars are physically smaller than their predecessors. Maximum wheelbase has been shortened by 200mm to 3.4 metres, and floor width reduced by 100mm to 1.9 metres. Tyres are narrower with a reduced contact patch and smaller overall diameter, though they retain the 18-inch rims introduced in 2022.
Power Unit: More Electric, No MGU-H
The MGU-H — the motor-generator unit that recovers energy from exhaust gases — has been removed from the power unit. This was a deliberate decision to lower the barrier to entry for new manufacturers such as Audi and Red Bull Ford. To compensate, the electrical power contribution from the MGU-K has been increased significantly. One important consequence: the MGU-K cannot deliver electrical energy to the rear wheels until the car reaches 50 km/h, meaning drivers get no electrical assistance off the line.
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