00:0675 years of innovation continues in 2026, but bigger, bolder, from the ground up.
00:15These are the biggest regulations changes in more than a decade, and this is everything you need to know.
00:25Let's start with the changes you'll see.
00:28The most visible changes are the wings.
00:31Front and rear wings have been simplified with fewer elements overall.
00:35The rear loses its lower aerodynamic beam wing, while the front wing gets a major overhaul.
00:41The elements are narrower, but the outer sections open up new areas for aerodynamic development.
00:47A crucial battleground for teams, as the front wing heavily influences the car's overall aero performance.
00:54But the most visible change? Active aero.
00:57In 2026, F1 cars will dynamically adjust the angle of their front and rear wing elements in specified high-speed sections.
01:05In corners, the flaps are in corner mode, their default closed position to maintain grip.
01:11But on designated straights, drivers can engage straight mode, which opens the wings to reduce drag and increase top speed.
01:17That shift in pace opens up longer braking zones, and with them, new overtaking opportunities in places we haven't seen before.
01:26It's available to every driver, every lap, to make the most of both downforce and car power.
01:32Overall, the cars are shorter, narrower, and lighter.
01:38The wheelbase has been shortened, making them more agile and responsive for the drivers.
01:43And while the cars still sport their 18-inch tyres, they're narrower now.
01:48Cutting drag, trimming weight.
01:51And they won't have those little arches above the front tyres anymore either.
01:54Once used to help manage the messy airflow from the tyres, tighter regulations will put the responsibility for this on the bodywork and components around the wheels instead, keeping the cars cleaner and lighter.
02:06This follows behind the wheels with the design of these barge boards, and the simplifying and shrinking of the floor bodywork.
02:14This is to discourage outwashing, where teams direct the turbulent air off the front wheels around their car, rather than over its aero surfaces, which has affected following cars in seasons past.
02:26Cleaner lines, less dirty air.
02:30Underneath, it's a whole new story.
02:32The long ground effect tunnels are gone, replaced by flatter floors and extended diffusers with bigger openings.
02:38That means less downforce and a higher ride height, which could allow a greater range of set-ups, suiting a greater range of driving styles.
02:47Okay, let's close the gap to the leader.
02:49But a lot of changes in 2026 aren't obvious to see from the outside.
02:54The drivers will really play their part in these new cars, with a bunch of controls put right in their hands to extract lap time, attack for position, or defend from a challenge.
03:04At their fingertips is the boost button, overtake mode, and recharge controls.
03:10Essential tools to aid racing and lap time.
03:14And reminder, you have boost available.
03:16Boost gives the drivers maximum power from the engine and battery at the push of a button.
03:21They can use it anywhere, for attack or defense, so long as there's enough charge in their battery.
03:28Overtake is just for attack.
03:30Let's close the gap to one second.
03:31It gives extra power at top speed to drivers within a second of the car in front.
03:36Overtake now available.
03:38Essentially replacing DRS, it differs by having one single detection point, which grants drivers the extra electrical energy to deploy for an overtake, or to pressure the driver ahead, to make them vulnerable later in the lap.
03:52Good job, let's keep going.
03:53And to power boost and overtake, they'll oversee their battery recharge as well.
03:59Working with their race engineer, they'll be selecting from different modes to recharge their battery from braking and engine energy.
04:06Boost, overtake, and recharge make drivers tactical masters, and add more variables, making racing less predictable.
04:14Use boost and overtake to attack this lap.
04:16Powering this change is perhaps the most significant update in 2026, beneath the bodywork.
04:25The F1 power unit has had a complete rethink.
04:28At its core, it's still a 1.6 liter V6 turbo hybrid, but the balance of power has shifted dramatically.
04:35The internal combustion engine output has been downsized, while the electric motor triples its output.
04:42That's nearly a 50-50 power split between fuel and electric, pushing hybrid performance to new heights.
04:50To power this new hybrid unit, the car's energy recovery system can now recharge the battery with twice as much energy per lap.
04:58This brings a host of clever recharge modes to recover energy under braking, on throttle lift at the end of straights, or even corners where drivers are only applying part power.
05:10But one component is gone, the MGU-H.
05:13This heat recovery system has been dropped.
05:16Too expensive, too complex, and not road relevant.
05:19By removing it, teams save weight and cost, making the power unit leaner and more focused on what matters most.
05:26As Formula 1 races towards its net-zero goal, 2026 marks a major milestone.
05:33The new power units won't just be efficient, they'll run on advanced sustainable fuel for the first time ever.
05:40This isn't just any fuel.
05:42It's made from cutting-edge sources like carbon capture, municipal waste, and non-food biomass.
05:47And it's independently certified to meet strict sustainability standards.
05:51Every regulations update brings safety enhancements, and 2026 is no different.
05:58The driver's survival cell is subject to more rigorous tests, with side intrusion safety further improved, and the roll-hoop strengthened to take 23% more load, roughly the weight of nine family cars.
06:12They'll also be protected by a new front impact structure design philosophy.
06:15This front section now separates in two stages.
06:19This gives drivers more protection in large crashes where there are secondary impacts after the first contact.
06:25And to reduce the chance of side impacts in low visibility, all cars will have mandatory lights on the side of the mirrors, in addition to the existing rear rain lights.
06:34So, how will the biggest F1 changes in 12 years change driving and racing in 2026?
06:42Fundamentally, the soul of F1 remains untouched.
06:45The cars will be fast, fierce, and just as jaw-dropping to watch.
06:50What's changing is the challenge.
06:52With new tech and tighter rules, it's an even bigger test for teams and drivers to prove they've built the best car, and earned the right to be called the best in the world.
07:01These new regulations weren't built in isolation, either.
07:05They were shaped by the FIA in close collaboration with the teams and F1.
07:09The result?
07:10A rule set that's already attracted more manufacturers.
07:14That means more competition, more innovation, and more chances for surprise breakthroughs.
07:20But what about the driving?
07:22With less downforce and tighter control over turbulent air, following another car through corners should be easier, but the cars themselves will be trickier to handle.
07:30Same power, less grip.
07:34Driver's skill will be on display with them on the limit more often.
07:38Okay, flat out to the end.
07:40The 2026 car is built for the future, with exciting racing in mind.
07:45Every move and every decision will matter more than ever.
07:49With cutting-edge advanced sustainable fuel, smarter energy usage, and tech that puts overtaking back in the driver's hands.
07:57It's not just a new chapter, it's a whole new playbook.
08:00The future of F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and unforgettable.
08:06F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:08F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:09F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:10F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:11F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:12F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:14F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:15F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, fierce, and sustainable.
08:16F1 is here, and it's going to be fast, and sustainable.
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