The 2026 rules explained

A sourced, plain-English guide to the 2026 Formula 1 rules: smaller cars, active aero, 350 kW electric power, overtake mode, sustainable fuel and the cost cap, with what Slipstream simulates for each.

Smaller, lighter cars

  • The maximum wheelbase is 3,400 mm, 200 mm shorter than before, and the car is 100 mm narrower at 1,900 mm.
  • The minimum weight is about 30 kg lower than in 2025. Published figures differ by a couple of kilograms, so check the FIA technical regulations for the exact limit.
  • The 18-inch wheels stay, with narrower tyres front and rear.

Sources: <a href="https://www.williamsf1.com/posts/43f4eb85-3653-4c9e-90b1-fd783e33d56f/explained-2026-formula-1-regulation-changes">Williams: 2026 regulation changes explained</a>, <a href="https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1050183/1/f1-2026-regulations-changes-aero-chassis-engine">Crash.net: aero, chassis and engine changes</a>

Active aerodynamics

  • Movable front and rear wing elements let the car switch between a high-downforce setting for corners and a low-drag setting on designated straights.
  • This replaces DRS as the way cars shed drag on the straights. Every car can use the low-drag setting, not only a car chasing another.

Sources: <a href="https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-2026-new-car-rules-explained/">The Race: 2026 car rules explained</a>, <a href="https://www.redbullracing.com/int-en/projects/bulls-guide-to-the-f1-2026-regulations/technical-regulations">Red Bull Racing: guide to the 2026 technical regulations</a>

Power units

  • The 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid stays, but the MGU-H (the turbo energy recovery unit) is removed.
  • The electric motor (MGU-K) rises from 120 kW to 350 kW, so electrical power makes up roughly half of the total.
  • Harvesting and deploying battery energy becomes a much bigger part of every lap.

Sources: <a href="https://www.f1technical.net/news/23930">F1Technical: 2026 power unit rules, no more MGU-H</a>, <a href="https://pmw-magazine.com/news/race-series-news/fia-signs-off-2026-f1-pu-rules-with-mgu-h-dropped-and-tight-constraints-on-ice-design.html">Professional Motorsport World: FIA signs off the 2026 power unit rules</a>

Overtake mode and boost

  • Overtake mode gives a car close behind another extra electrical deployment, taking over the overtaking role DRS used to play.
  • Boost is a driver-controlled burst of maximum hybrid power that can be used for attack or defence.

Sources: <a href="https://www.grandprix247.com/2025/12/17/f1-news-boost-overtake-modes-2026-formula-1-terminology-explained-2026-regulations/">GrandPrix247: boost and overtake modes explained</a>, <a href="https://www.f1technical.net/news/28105">F1Technical: the new terms for 2026</a>

Sustainable fuel

  • Cars run on fully sustainable fuel. Every component must come from non-food biological sources, genuine municipal waste or carbon capture.

Sources: <a href="https://pmw-magazine.com/news/race-series-news/fia-signs-off-2026-f1-pu-rules-with-mgu-h-dropped-and-tight-constraints-on-ice-design.html">Professional Motorsport World: 2026 power unit rules</a>

The cost cap

  • The cap on a team’s yearly spending rises to $215 million, up $80 million, partly because more costs now fall inside it.
  • Power unit makers have their own separate spending cap.

Sources: <a href="https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/explained-what-is-the-f1-cost-cap-and-why-has-it-gone-up.2tYtDIe5SbE5utjThctBT3.2tYtDIe5SbE5utjThctBT3">Formula 1: what is the cost cap and why has it gone up?</a>

A new grid

  • Cadillac joins as the eleventh team, so 22 cars start each race.
  • Audi takes over the former Sauber team as a works entry, and new power unit partnerships arrive alongside the new engine rules.

Sources: <a href="https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2026/team">Formula 1: 2026 results and teams</a>