Formula 1® in 2026: Major Technical Changes We’re Expecting

You might have heard about the regulations changes that are coming to Formula 1® in 2026. The FIA, governing body for F1®, says these changes will make things more "agile, competitive, safer and more sustainable." 

The F1® rule book runs to hundreds of pages in length, so let's take a look at the most impactful changes that are causing big shifts in car designs this year. Here is F1® Arcade’s handy guide on the most important changes you’ll notice in pre-season testing and at Melbourne in March. 

If you missed the ending to the 2025 season, make sure to read our Season Wrap-Up guide as well!

Power Units

The electric power era of F1® started in 2009, with the introduction of KERS (kinetic energy release system). That allowed cars to harvest electrical energy under braking, which could be used as a temporary 80 horsepower boost for 6.7 seconds per lap. In the intervening years, electric power became more prominent, with the 2025 cars being 80% ICE (internal combustion engine) and 20% electric.

So in 2026, that power ratio is changing hugely, to a 50/50 split between the two power sources. The energy still has to be harvested during the race. Batteries won’t be charged up in the pits, like a Formula E car. But the way electrical energy is generated is being simplified.

In 2025, cars used MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit-Heat), which generated electric power from the spinning turbocharger, and either stored it in the battery or used it to feed back into the turbo to get it up to speed quicker. In 2026, this has been discontinued. All electrical energy is now generated by harvesting kinetic energy under braking (MGU-K) and directly from the engine during partial power. 

All this could have a profound effect on how drivers harvest and deploy their power. We may see them lifting or downshifting on straights so they can grab some electrical energy. Or, as legendary designer Adrian Newey suggested, they may be using extra throttle in slow corners to harvest more energy. On a circuit like Monza, where drivers are only braking for short periods of time, it could make a huge difference. The FIA is introducing power deployment rules at certain high-speed tracks to allay this, but it will almost certainly undergo refinement in the years to come.

Car Dimensions and Weight

The Formula 1® cars in 2026 will be slightly smaller and lighter. The minimum weight will now be 768kg, compared to 800kg in 2025. That equates to 724kg plus the weight of the tires.

Speaking of tires, these are getting slightly narrower, with front tires reduced by 25mm and rear tires by 30mm. The 18-inch diameter will remain, though. The wheelbase (the length between the front and rear axles) is reduced from 3.6m to 3.4m. The cars will also be 100mm narrower than in 2025, and front wings can no longer be wider than the outside of the front tires.

The goal here is to make cars more nimble, which should affect both driving styles and the effect of aero disturbance in their wake. 

Floor Design

There are important changes to the F1® car floor, which promise to make a massive difference to grip. Over the years, these floors have become incredibly complex aerodynamic elements, only visible to the public when a car flips. It’s all about taking advantage of the ground effect, where airflow is used to create suction under the car, which helps grip. 

In 2026, floors are getting a lot simpler, with essentially a flat design, except at the rear, where the diffuser is. The floor will also be reduced in width by 150mm.

This should also help with the “nimble” philosophy. But it is expected that these simplified floors will create far less “dirty air.” This should make following closer – and therefore overtaking – easier.

Front and Rear Wings

Wings started emerging in F1® cars in the late 1960s, and have grown in complexity and importance ever since. But there has always been a drawback. A car’s performance enhancement has meant that the car behind struggled for downforce, because of the turbulence from the front car. 

DRS (drag reduction system) aimed to help that by allowing cars to reduce the profile of the rear wing by switching it up. But this system is being overhauled in 2026.

Now, both front and rear wings are movable, so drivers will have full control over the downforce acting on the whole car at all times. In “straight mode,” drivers can reduce the drag of both sets of wings to increase speed. There will still be zones (i.e. straights) where it can be used (like DRS zones). But a car will no longer need to be within 1 second of the car in front to activate it. In “corner mode,” the wings switch back to full downforce for cornering.

It’s not just about speed, though. The drag reduction will also save energy on straights. Energy conservation is going to be crucial in this new era.

Overtake Mode

With drag reduction now allowable at all times within the zones, it can’t be used to gain an advantage from the car ahead, as they too will be able to use it. But the “DRS within 1 second” rule has been replaced with “overtake mode.” A car within 1 second of the car in front can apply 0.5MJ of extra energy to help with an overtake. The car in front cannot use it, unless they also happen to be less than a second behind another car.

How Will the 2026 F1® Season Pan Out?

Whenever there are significant regulatory changes, some teams get it right, while others struggle. There’s no reason to think 2026 will be any different. Will it be like 2009, when Brawn GP came from nowhere to dominate the sport for half a season before the rest caught up? Or will the big four teams be able to draw on their superior research and technology to keep it “business as usual” at the front of the grid? We can’t wait to find out at F1® Arcade. Join us for every Watch Party during the F1® 2026 Season, filled with good vibes, an adrenaline filled environment, and racing simulators that allow you to feel just like the 22 professional drivers on the race track!

So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets or Season Pass now and make sure you don't miss a second of the action at F1® Arcade.