f1 2026 regulations:
general:
30kg lighter cars, also shorter and narrower
reduced downforce, drag, and speed (2 sec slower than 2025)
rip ground effect era; instead: flat floors -> no more porpoising
fuel 100% sustainable, part of net zero by 2030 initiative (good, but imo the impact of zig zagging whole teams across the globe is bigger than the fuel of an f1 car, a season schedule that groups races by geographic location would have greater impact on the sustainability of the sport)
engine based:
major changes to engines/power units themselves and emphasis on features that use engine/power unit -> a good engine will matter a lot
50/50 split combustion and electric power
300% increase in electrical/battery power
Manual Override Mode (fia won’t call it MOM anymore cause they’re boring) - battery boost when within 1 sec of car in front
rip drs; instead:
active aerodynamics: open and close front and rear wings with z & x mode, drivers can choose when to switch between them during a lap
z mode: for corners, high downforce/grip
x mode: for straights, low downforce, reduce drag
overtake with MOM (the fia can’t make me not make the jokes) anytime they’re within 1 sec (drs could only be used in drs zones)
drivers must use their brain (decide when to make aero changes / deploy battery)
official terminology (& some new stuff):
boost button (max energy from engine and battery, or to an amount set by team)
recharge (recharge battery during breaking or when lifting the throttle/using partial power, mostly automated unless doing LiCo)
x and z mode = active aero
z mode = corner mode
x mode = straight mode
(allegedly) overtake mode = manual override mode (I vote we all collectively refuse to call it anything other than mom)
