FIA Announce Major F1 Rule Changes as Three New Race 'Modes' Unveiled

Formula 1 have confirmed that three new race modes will be introduced for the 2026 campaign.

Next year, F1 will enter a new era, with huge changes being made to the sport's rules and regulations.

The technical regulations will be overhauled with changes to the power unit, chassis and aerodynamic rules.

From 2026 onwards, the cars are set to be more agile, which should, in turn, produce closer action on track. Also, the power unit is also set to be redesigned, with more focus on battery power and the use of advanced sustainable fuels.

However, one much-loved element of F1 racing will be replaced in 2026.

The popular DRS system (Drag Reduction System) will no longer be available to F1 drivers; instead, there will be three different modes to aid overtaking.

Overtake Mode

Similar to the DRS, the Overtake Mode gives drivers an extra burst of electrical power when a car is within one second of the one in front at the detection point.

Boost Mode

The Boost Mode refers to a driver-operated energy deployment system which can be used in attack or defence.

This mode allows drivers to have maximum power from the engine and battery.

Drivers and their teams will have to be clever when deploying Boost Mode, as the total amount of energy available to them is limited.

Recharge Mode

This mode allows drivers to recharge their battery with energy harvested from braking or lifting.

There will also be new aero modes, called Straight Mode and Corner Mode.

As per the FIA, Straight Mode is 'is the active aero configuration in which the front and rear wing flaps open to reduce overall drag and increase top speed. It will be available to all cars at designated points on the circuit, on straights of a minimum length'.

Meanwhile, Corner Mode is 'the active aero configuration in which the front and rear wing flaps remain in their normal, high-downforce position to maximise cornering performance'.

When speaking about the upcoming changes, Williams star Alexander Albon likened them to Formula E.

He said: "Look at Formula E as a more extreme version as to where we're going to go to. You can see how the drivers manipulate the racing and qualifying and how they deploy and all these kind of things to gain performance.

"It's not going to be that extreme, but there will be an element of the drivers who have the brain capacity to understand and facilitate all these demands will go well."