Building on last month's announcement of Formula 1's 2026 overhaul—including new engine suppliers and overtaking aids—the latest details reveal precise car dimensions, active aerodynamics modes, power unit configurations, and pre-season testing results. Bahrain tests showed lap times two seconds off 2025 pace, positively surprising teams ahead of the March 6-8 Australian Grand Prix opener.
Cars are shorter (3400mm wheelbase, down from 3600mm) and narrower (floor by 100mm), with front tyres reduced by 25mm and rear by 30mm. Minimum weight is now 768kg (from 800kg), enabled by ditching the MGU-H.
Aerodynamics adopt a step-plane design with flat floors, simplified wings, and bargeboards to cut outwash for better following. Active systems include Straight Mode (low-drag wing adjustments on straights), Corner Mode (max downforce in turns), and Overtake Mode (extra 0.5MJ energy if within 1s of car ahead, replacing DRS).
Power units stay 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids on advanced sustainable fuels but eliminate MGU-H for a near 50/50 split: 400kW ICE and 350kW MGU-K (up from 120kW). Energy from braking, lift-and-coast, and 250kW (trials at 350kW) super clipping. Boost Mode deploys harvested energy freely.
Race starts counter turbo lag with a 5s pre-warning and revving via blue-flashing panels. Qualifying advances 16 cars from expanded 22-car grid (eliminating 6 each in Q1/Q2). Budget cap rises to $215m (from $135m), power units to $130m (from $95m).
Bahrain pre-season testing delivered lap times ~2s slower than 2025, with Ferrari's Fred Vasseur saying the cars 'positively surprised' the paddock. The 24-race season launches at Albert Park March 6-8.