Formula 1: This is how the 2026 regulatory revolution will change the category forever.

Formula 1 is on the verge of one of the most profound changes in its history. Starting in 2026, new regulations will come into effect that seek greater efficiency and sustainability, promising to completely transform the performance of the cars. 2025 is being seen as a year of transition, with teams minimizing their development investments as they await the new era.

The most striking modification will be active aerodynamics, an evolution of the current DRS. The driver will be able to activate both the front and rear wings at will, with the aim of reducing fuel consumption, increasing speed on straights—estimated to reach nearly 400 km/h—and maintaining grip in corners.

The chassis design will also be transformed: the cars will be 10 cm narrower, 20 cm shorter, and about 30 kg lighter. The floor and diffuser will be simplified, which will shave about a second off the current car per lap. The tires will be narrower and offer 5% less grip.

On the mechanical side, the hybrid engine will be split equally: 500 hp (combustion horsepower) and 500 hp (electric). The system will eliminate the MGU-H and triple the power of the MGU-K (from 120 to 350 kW). This change has been criticized by several drivers, who fear a loss of driving sensation.

In addition, DRS will be replaced by an electric push-to-pass : a car that is less than a second behind its opponent will be able to use extra battery power to attempt the overtake.

Experience shows that in the first season after a major change, a complete dominator usually emerges, as happened in 2014 with Mercedes at the start of the hybrid era. In fact, many are already pointing out that the new Mercedes engine could make the difference again.

The big question will be which team finds the best chassis to go with that engine. Mercedes, McLaren, Williams, and Alpine appear on the shortlist. In the latter case, the French team is confident of making a leap forward: not only will it receive Mercedes engines, but it will also have 30% more time in the wind tunnel for having finished last in 2025.

Also generating excitement is the partnership between Aston Martin, Honda and design genius Adrian Newey , while Ferrari and Red Bull are not among the initial favorites according to initial projections.

The true performance of each car will only begin to be revealed in 2026. The first tests are scheduled for late January in Barcelona and mid-February in Bahrain. But it won't be on March 7 in Melbourne, during qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, when the cards will be laid on the table and a new era in Formula 1 officially begins.