GLOSSARY: The Term Changes You Need To Know For 2026

It’s not just on the track where changes are being made in Formula 1 – some of the key terms used by drivers, teams and fans are changing for 2026, too.

The FIA have confirmed the following terms will be added to the technical regulations and will be used consistently moving forward.

Here’s everything you need to know before the 2026 season gets underway in Melbourne next March.

Overtake: The Drag Reduction System (DRS) will be replaced by Manual Override Mode (MOM), giving a driver within one second of the car they’re following additional electrical power (350kW).

This enables the deployment of 0.5MJ of energy for longer, providing a boost which could see the speed of the overtaking car reach up to 337kph, a temporary benefit to improve their chances of making a move. Manual Override Mode will become known as Overtake.

Boost: The result of that update is a change to the current definition of ‘Overtake’ mode, the driver-deployed Energy Recovery System (ERS).

The ERS collects excess energy from braking and exhaust gases and stores it in the battery, giving drivers an extra 160 bhp for around 33 seconds per lap. From 2026, this will be known as Boost.

Recharge: Related to the ERS are ‘Harvesting’ or ‘Recovery’. These terms refer to the capture of that otherwise wasted energy, which is later deployed at opportune moments around the track. Going forward, this will be referred to as Recharge.

Corner Mode: What had previously been billed as ‘Cornering Mode’ or ‘Z Mode’ will now simply be ‘Corner Mode’. This refers to the car’s electronic settings that allow for improved handling in turns, as well as the driving techniques.

Straight Mode: Replacing what was previously going to be known as ‘Straight-Line Mode’ or ‘X Mode’, this refers to the low-drag aerodynamic setting to enhance speed on straights. In 2026, teams will benefit from active front and rear wings that can change their flap angles. Prior to this innovation, drivers could only flatten their rear wing when deploying DRS.