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To many, the FIA Formula 1 World Championship is regarded as the pinnacle of global motorsport, and at Motorsport UK we are proud to power the sporting excellence of the British Grand Prix when the championship returns to British soil this July at Silverstone. With five British drivers, forming 25 per cent of the overall grid, the season is set to be a gripping one. Formula 1 continues its pursuit of breaking new ground with the introduction of a new set of technical regulations, we unpack them here.

In simple terms, the rules governing the power unit, chassis, and aerodynamics have been completely overhauled to deliver more exciting, closer racing in an even safer and sustainable manner.

Here is a quick guide to make sure you’ re up to speed with the regulation changes ahead of the opening round in Melbourne, Australia, on the 6th-8th March.

Power Up

The new power units will rely much more on electrical energy, creating a 50-50 split between electric power and the internal combustion engine. The result is almost a 300 per cent increase in electrical output, leading to more strategic decisions as drivers will need to harvest more powertrain energy to make progress in races. Already in early testing we have seen drivers aggressively shifting down under braking in order to top-up batteries.

Teams will continue to use the familiar 1.6-litre V6 turbo that has been in place since 2014; however, many components have changed, including the removal of the MGU-H, which converted waste exhaust heat into electricity and eliminated turbo lag, enhancing efficiency and acceleration. In conjunction with Audi, Ford, and the returning Honda joining Mercedes and Ferrari on the grid, the early races are likely to produce some disparity between the power units as teams work to maximise performance.

Active Aero and Overtake Mode

One of the most talked about changes of this regulation sweep is the demise of the Drag Reduction System( DRS), which has been replaced with Active Aero and Overtake Mode.

Active Aero will allow drivers to open front and rear wing flaps on every designated straight without needing to be within one second of the car in front.

Overtake Mode, triggered at a single detection point when within one second of the car in front, gives drivers access to additional electrical energy to deploy to attack or pressure the driver ahead.

Smaller, Sharper, Punchier

F1 fans have been clamouring for more overtaking and these revised set of regulations aim to deliver exactly that. The cars will be shorter, narrower, lighter, and more agile, while the new aero regulations mark a shift away from ground effect tunnels and towards simpler wings with the aim of decreasing the wake generated by each car.

The 2026 car length is reduced by 20cm with a 10cm reduction in width compared to last year’ s car. Overall weight has also been a reduced by 30kg. Further reductions to the wheelbase will also help create more dynamic wheel-towheel racing.

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

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Revolution- February 2026

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool