What changed in F1 in 2026?

Smaller, lighter cars with wings that move, half their power from a battery, and an Overtake Mode instead of DRS.

Smaller, lighter cars with wings that move, half their power from a battery, and an Overtake Mode instead of DRS.

Moving wings

Active aero: the wings flatten on straights (Straight Mode) for speed and close again for corners (Corner Mode).

Half electric

The engine is a smaller petrol unit plus an electric motor of about the same power. Drivers Recharge the battery when braking and spend it with Boost.

Overtaking

The old DRS is gone. A driver within about a second of the car ahead gets extra electric power: Overtake Mode.

Smaller and lighter

Cars are shorter and narrower than before and about 30 kg lighter, and they run on fully sustainable fuel.

New teams

Cadillac joined, making 11 teams and 22 cars. Audi took over Sauber.

Is there still DRS?

No. From 2026, Overtake Mode and active aero replace it.