This is what Formula 1 will look like in 2026: shorter cars, no DRS and the biggest technical revolution of the hybrid era

Formula 1 is preparing for a historic turning point in 2026, with an all-new set of regulations that will transform the cars, the engines and the way racing unfolds on track.

Formula 1 will undergo one of the most significant regulatory changes in its recent history in 2026, following joint work by the FIA, the teams and the championship promoter. The objective is clear: to redefine the balance between performance, sustainability and spectacle, keeping the category at the forefront of automotive technology while improving the quality of racing. The result will be a very different F1, with more agile cars, deeply revised power units and new tools designed to promote genuine overtaking.

Shorter, lighter cars with simplified aerodynamics

The most visible change will come with the cars themselves. From 2026 onwards, the single-seaters will be shorter and narrower, with a reduced wheelbase aimed at improving agility and facilitating wheel-to-wheel racing. The 18-inch wheels introduced in 2022 will remain, but with narrower tyres, a key decision to control weight and reduce aerodynamic drag. In addition, several add-on elements introduced in recent years–such as the front-wheel arches–will disappear, clearly targeting the continuous increase in mass that has characterised modern Formula 1.

From an aerodynamic perspective, the regulations will adopt a simpler philosophy. Ground effect will remain, but in a less aggressive form: shorter tunnels, flatter floors and larger diffusers. The aim is to reduce overall downforce and sensitivity to turbulent air, allowing cars to follow each other more closely without suffering a significant loss of performance. Both the front and rear wings will be simplified, the beam rear wing will be eliminated, and the number of elements will be reduced, although teams will still retain limited scope to differentiate themselves technically.

Farewell to DRS: active aero and a new energy strategy
One of the headline changes will be the end of DRS as we know it. In its place, Formula 1 will introduce active aerodynamics, allowing controlled adjustments to the angle of the front and rear wings. In corners, the aero elements will remain closed to maximise grip; on designated straights, they can open to reduce drag and increase top speed. This will be complemented by a new approach to energy management, featuring the Boost button and a dedicated Overtake Mode, designed to improve attacking and defensive opportunities without resorting to artificial solutions.

The most profound transformation will take place in the power units. The 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid will remain, but the electrical component will be tripled, delivering close to 50% of the car’s total power. The complex and costly MGU-H will be eliminated, simplifying the hybrid system and focusing energy recovery on braking and lift-and-coast phases, effectively doubling the energy recovered per lap. All of this will be combined with the mandatory use of advanced sustainable fuels, alongside significant safety upgrades. Overall, Formula 1 in 2026 aims to be more efficient, more sustainable and more competitive, with cars that will remain extremely fast but will demand far more intelligent management of aerodynamics, energy and on-track strategy.