F1 2026: The ultimate guide to new rules and changes
Find out everything that will change in Formula 1 in 2026, from engines to new teams and rules
The 2026 regulations represent a massive overhaul of Formula 1’s technical rules as the championship enters a new era in which electrification and sustainability occupy a bigger role than ever before.
The impact of the changes remains uncertain to all, and there’s been both excitement and fear about what F1 2026 will end up looking like.
But it’s not only the rules that will be different, as F1 will have an all-new team and even manufacturers coming in.
Below is our guide to all things F1 2026.
The ultimate guide to 2026 F1 rules and changes
Formula 1’s 2026 engines will feature a simplified hybrid system with a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power, triple the electrical output, no MGU-H, fully sustainable fuels, and enhanced energy recovery and overtaking features for greater efficiency and sustainability.
Read more: All the key aspects changing on F1’s 2026 engines
Formula 1 will replace DRS with a dual-mode active aero system featuring moveable front and rear wings, allowing drivers to freely switch between high-downforce (Z-mode) for corners and low-drag (X-mode) for straights at designated track zones, while overtaking will be aided by a new Manual Override engine mode that delivers extra electrical power to the following car rather than by opening a rear wing flap.
Read more: How F1 2026’s new active aero will work without DRS
F1 chassis regulations will make cars smaller, lighter, and more agile by reducing wheelbase, width, and weight, cutting downforce by 30% and drag by 55%, introducing active aerodynamics, and enhancing safety with stronger structures and improved crash protection.
Read more: How the F1 chassis is changing under 2026 regulations
The F1 grid will expand to 11 teams with the arrival of Cadillac in 2026. Audi will also join the series five engine manufacturers (Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes, and Red Bull Powertrains) are confirmed.
Red more: The new teams and engine manufacturers coming to F1 in 2026
The overhaul of F1 regulations for 2026 has sparked widespread fears and criticism among drivers, teams, and fans, who worry about the complexity, cost, and performance of the new cars.
Red more: The fears and criticisms triggered by the 2026 F1 rules