Formula 1 Releases Video Explaining All the 2026 Car and Rule Changes

Next year is going to be a big one for Formula 1.

For the first time in quite a while there will be 11 teams on the grid, including new comers Audi and Cadillac. Ford and Honda are also returning as official engine suppliers. But the biggest change for next year are the entirely new car regulations.

Gone is the era of massive cars with DRS, which saw Mercedes, Red Bull, then McLaren dominate. Some highlights of the new cars include being shorter, narrower, and lighter. The cars will have active aerodynamics that work on every straightaway and corner. There will be a push-to-pass boost mode, utilizing the turbocharged V6 engine that has an equally powerful electric motor paired up to it.

To help fans understand what changes are being made, Formula 1 has released an official eight minute video explaining what is different, and why. The main goal, have the driver make more of a difference than the car, and have closer, better racing.

Watch the full video above explaining how the 2026 F1 cars will be different.

Formula 1 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Rules Revolution

Formula 1 is preparing to "rip up the form book." As the sport celebrates 75 years of innovation, the 2026 season marks the most significant regulatory overhaul in over a decade. From active aerodynamics to a massive shift in power delivery, here is how F1 is reinventing itself for a new era.

A New Look: Agile, Lighter, and Smaller

The first thing fans will notice is the "nimble car" concept. To improve racing and maneuverability, the cars are physically shrinking:

• Dimensions: The wheelbase is shorter, and the width has been reduced to make the cars more agile.
• Tires: While remaining 18 inches, the tires are narrower to cut drag and trim weight.
• Simplified Aero: The complex "wheel arches" and barge boards are being removed to reduce turbulent air, making it easier for cars to follow one another closely.

Active Aerodynamics: "X-Mode" and "Z-Mode"

In a historic first, 2026 cars will feature Active Aero. Drivers will be able to dynamically adjust the angle of both the front and rear wings during a lap:

• Corner Mode (Z-Mode): The default high-downforce setting with closed flaps to maintain maximum grip through turns.
• Straight Mode (X-Mode): On designated straights, drivers can open the wing elements to reduce drag and increase top speed.

This shift in pace will create longer braking zones, opening up overtaking opportunities in corners where we haven't seen them before.

The Power Unit: A 50/50 Hybrid Split

Beneath the engine cover, the 1.6L V6 turbo remains, but the way it produces power has been completely rethought:

• Electric Revolution: The electric motor output will triple. F1 is moving toward a nearly 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and electrical energy.
• Adios, MGU-H: The complex and expensive Heat Recovery System (MGU-H) has been removed to lower costs and increase road relevance.
• Sustainable Fuel: For the first time, F1 will run on 100% advanced sustainable fuel, sourced from carbon capture and municipal waste, as part of the sport's Net Zero 2030 goal.

Driver Strategy: Boost and Overtake

The 2026 regulations put more control back into the driver's hands. To manage the new power unit, drivers will use three primary steering wheel controls:

1. Boost: Provides maximum power from the engine and battery for attack or defense.
2. Overtake: Effectively replacing DRS, this mode grants extra electrical energy at top speed to a driver within one second of the car ahead.
3. Recharge: Drivers must work with engineers to select modes that recover energy under braking and even during partial-throttle cornering.

Safety First: A "Nine-Car" Roll Hoop

Safety remains the bedrock of the new regulations. The 2026 chassis will undergo more rigorous testing than ever before:

• The Roll Hoop: Now strengthened to withstand 23% more load—roughly the weight of nine family cars.
• Two-Stage Impact: A new front-impact structure is designed to separate in two stages, protecting drivers during secondary impacts in large accidents.
• Visibility: To combat low-visibility rain conditions, mandatory lights will be added to the side mirrors.

The Verdict: Same Soul, New Challenge

The 2026 car is designed to be "fast, fierce, and jaw-dropping." While the cars will have less downforce and be trickier to handle, the goal is clear: better racing. By reducing "dirty air" and giving drivers tactical tools like manual boost, the skill of the person behind the wheel will be more apparent than ever.

With new manufacturers already joining the grid, the 2026 season isn't just a new chapter—it's an entirely new playbook for the future of motorsport.