Yesterday, the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) approved several changes to the Formula 1 regulations, some affecting the current season and others targeting 2026. While the amendments concerning compression ratio measurement are the most significant—bringing to an end a political and technical dispute that lasted nearly two months—there are additional details that could prove decisive over the course of the championship.
In particular, several minor but meaningful modifications have been introduced regarding the use of Driver Adjustable Bodywork (active aerodynamics), Overtake Mode, and further aspects related to the Power Unit and fuel regulations.
New ‘low grip’ zones for active aero and more frequent Overtake Mode availability
The updated F1 Sporting Regulations published on the FIA website outline changes to two of the key innovations that teams, drivers and fans will encounter during the 2026 season. Article B7.1.2 explains that in conditions of reduced grip, the race director may choose to deactivate full availability of the D.A.B. system and allow only partial activation.
This partial mode means the front wing can be set in ‘Straight Mode’ while the rear wing remains in ‘Corner Mode’, and it will apply only within designated low-grip activation zones. Therefore, even in wet conditions, it will always be possible to reduce drag at the front; the change specifically introduces new ‘Low Grip Activation Mode’ zones.
Another important clarification concerns the potential restoration of full active aerodynamics. In qualifying sessions (or Sprint Qualifying), full availability must be reinstated with more than five minutes remaining in the session. This ensures that all drivers have the opportunity to complete a lap with both wings in ‘Straight Mode’ across all activation zones.
The following article addresses the use and activation of Overtake Mode in Formula 1. This Power Unit setting effectively replaces DRS as the primary overtaking aid and allows drivers to deploy an additional 0.5MJ of energy per lap in qualifying and when within the Detection Gap during races.
Under the new rules, Overtake Mode will be available from the start of every free practice and qualifying session (LTCS), although the race director retains the authority to disable it if deemed necessary. As was the case with DRS, the overtaking mode will become available one lap after the start (or restart) of a race or Sprint and immediately after the Safety Car returns to the pits.
Technical regulation tweaks: Power Unit and fuel updates included
Several changes have also been made to the Technical Regulations, mostly of minor scope. These concern specific floor areas, skid blocks, wheel corner deflectors and apertures, in some cases involving small dimensional adjustments and in others simply formal clarifications.
Additionally, new flexibility parameters have been introduced for the forward floor bodywork. Under increasing load, the parameters remain unchanged, while slight differences will apply during decreasing load tests.
Moving beyond purely aerodynamic matters, in situations classified as “Heat Hazard”, the measures required will now differ between LTCS sessions (practice and qualifying) and TTCS sessions (race conditions). During LTCS sessions, a cooling system weighing at least 2 kg must be introduced, while in TTCS sessions the required mass rises to a minimum of 5 kg.
The Power Unit topic has already been addressed in relation to compression ratio measurement changes from 1 June 2026. The FIA clarified that the values specified in Article C5 (the section of the Technical Regulations covering Power Units) refer to static values measured at ambient temperature.
Furthermore, from next season onward, measurements will be conducted exclusively under “hot” conditions at 130°C and, as stated from June 2026, “any component, assembly, mechanism or arrangement of components designed or intended to increase the compression ratio beyond 16.0:1 under operating conditions will be prohibited.”
Finally, Article C6.2 concerning the fuel system specifies that “the fuel in any pump used to refuel the car must not exceed the higher of: ten degrees Celsius above ambient temperature, or thirty-five degrees Celsius.” The maximum value has now been raised to 35°C, compared to the previous limit of 30°C.
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