Formula 1 has announced a historic regulation overhaul for the 2026 season, introducing “Overtake Mode” to replace the long-standing DRS system that has defined overtaking strategy since 2011.
The changes represent what Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle has described as “the biggest ever” regulation shake-up in the sport’s history. The new era will fundamentally reshape how drivers approach qualifying and race day tactics.
Overtake Mode functions similarly to DRS, activating when a driver trails within one second of the car ahead through a detection point. However, the new system offers significantly more flexibility than its predecessor.
Instead of simply opening the rear wing, drivers can now deploy extra electrical power either all at once or spread strategically across an entire lap.
Drivers will also have access to “Boost Mode,” allowing them to push a button at any point during a lap to deploy maximum power from the engine and battery combined.
The power units will split 50 percent electrical and 50 percent combustion, returning to technology similar to the KERS system that operated from 2009 to 2013.
F1 says the new cars will give drivers “more power in their hands than ever before,” requiring them to understand how to extract maximum lap time during qualifying and wheel-to-wheel battles.
The most visible change will be “Active Aero,” with moveable front and rear wings available to drivers every lap. In corners, wing flaps remain closed for maximum downforce.
On designated straights, drivers can engage “Straight Mode” to open the wings, increasing top speed while creating larger braking zones that should aid overtaking.
The combination of these new modes is expected to produce closer racing and create overtaking opportunities in unexpected locations around the track.
Mercedes driver George Russell believes the changes will revolutionise racing strategy. “You will see more overtakes in obscure locations, in locations where we’ve never seen overtakes before,” Russell explained.
“If a driver’s at the bottom of their battery and the one behind has more battery in a given section, they can suddenly jump past them at a corner where there would never have been an overtake.” He added.
F1 consulted 50,000 members of its “Fan Voice” community, alongside casual and core fans, when developing the new terminology. The governing body aimed to make complex technical regulations accessible to global audiences.
Williams driver Alex Albon suggested drivers who best understand energy deployment will gain competitive advantages, comparing the strategic element to Formula E’s more extreme version.
The 2026 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
