F1
Everything you need to know about the new modes, replacing DRS in F1 from 2026
© DPPI
DRS is dead, long live the " overtake "! King of overruns from 2011 to 2025 in F1The DRS (Drag Reduction System) is no more. First activated by Jenson Button in 2011, it was last used this season by Kimi Antonelli in Abu Dhabi. The end of an era, paving the way for a promising technical revolution.
From 2026, the FIA will impose a new regulatory framework on the eleven F1 teams: new chassis, new power units, and new technological solutions designed to enhance the on-track spectacle. The cars will be narrower, lighter, and will feature a balanced distribution of thermal and electric power to encourage overtaking and more action during races.
While DRS previously relied solely on opening the rear wing, active aerodynamics will mark a major turning point: the front wing will also be able to open. On straightaways, the two elements will work together to reduce aerodynamic drag. (mode Straight)In the event of braking, they will close automatically, but drivers will also have the option to close them manually. (mode Corner)This new aid will primarily be used to optimize energy management. It can be activated at more points on the circuit, without requiring the driver to be within one second of the leading car, unlike DRS.
An additional safety feature has also been implemented. After a certain distance is covered on the lap, the system will automatically deactivate to prevent drivers from entering certain corners with their wings open. This measure is specifically designed to avoid incidents similar to Jack Doohan's crash at Suzuka in 2025.
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The new "overtaking" mode
The true replacement for the DRS is overtaking modeThis will allow for an additional 0,5 MJ (megajoules) of charging and electrical power, thus increasing speed. Its activation will remain conditional on a pursuit situation, with a gap of less than one second at the detection point, generally located in the last turn.
The mode can then be used freely during the following lap, either all at once or progressively. Overtaking opportunities will be increased by reducing the energy expenditure of the leading car above 290 km/h, while the car The pursuer will be able to exploit the full power (350 kW) up to 337 km/h.
To defend themselves, the pilots will have Boost modeallowing for increased energy deployment, provided the battery has been sufficiently recharged. This mode can also be used for offensive purposes. Finally, Recharge mode will allow energy to be recovered during braking phases, at partial load, when lifting off the accelerator pedal (" lift and coast "), or even in " super clipping " – when energy is recovered at the end of the straight while the car is still at full throttle.
In this new era, the driver will be more central to performance than ever before, with their strategic choices behind the wheel directly impacting the car's effectiveness. These new technological tools will be on display on track as early as February, during the second and third pre-season testing sessions in Bahrain, following an initial behind-closed-doors test in Barcelona.
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Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)
13/01/2026 at 08:44 a.m.
At first glance, too much electronics and artificial applications for racing… but let's wait and see how it performs in a race. 😎👀👎
vincent moyet
13/01/2026 at 11:05 a.m.
A complete mess, that's the key word. How are we supposed to understand what's happening from the stands or behind a screen? Just as I feared, it's the arrival of Mario Kart. No missiles or banana peels yet (they'll come!), but "quick boost, I overtake everyone," "whoosh, I slow you down, I'll pass again"... all that's missing are the pretty, shiny icons on the track. In this system, the concepts of racing line, crossovers, slipstreaming, braking... in short, driving itself, have been completely forgotten. The goal is clearly for the driver to matter less and less in favor of gadgets invented by manufacturers (to then be sold to the general public on production cars), so yes, let's stop making them take risks and give them a remote control with a camera in the car. If I may make a prediction, the "video game" generation of drivers (so Norris, Verstappen and the younger ones) will definitively bury the real drivers (Hamilton, Alonso) who are living their last season at the back of the pack.
Carrera46
13/01/2026 at 10:45 a.m.
Getting worse and worse! Stupidity and absurdity have definitely taken over... I wish we had robots at the wheel, no more need for expensive pilots.
DANRV64
13/01/2026 at 09:18 a.m.
They should put the engineers in charge; they are the only ones who will understand how these convoluted and uninteresting systems work for the viewer.
Herve 06
22/12/2025 at 10:21 a.m.
It's a complex system, that's for sure. The question is: will the flow of a race remain understandable for spectators, commentators, and television viewers? Will the best driver be the most tech-savvy? I fear we're witnessing the end of motor racing as most of those writing comments here have known it. We've already lost a lot, but this could be the final blow. The only hope: lighter and narrower F1 cars. We'll soon see if this improvement compensates for the gimmicky nature of the various driver aids.
David rs
22/12/2025 at 01:23 a.m.
Not very encouraging.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
22/12/2025 at 10:52 a.m.
After all the promises we've been getting about the quality of the on-track action, let's hope this time they deliver! Besides, I'm not sure all this technological complexity will appeal to new F1 fans. When will we see the return of drivers with "big balls"? We seem to be moving even further away from that.
Cbp
21/12/2025 at 06:19 a.m.
In fact, we've just crowned the last true world champion of drivers in 2025! Just reading the explanations is giving me a headache, and as Eric Stevens says, it's going to be the world championship for geeks where the intrinsic qualities of the driver will have little or no opportunity to shine! Everything will be "piloted" remotely from the sidelines by a whole bunch of engineers... Welcome to the F1-drones and bot-pilots world championship! I doubt that most of the current F1 drivers will like it! As for me, watching this charade live or on TV, no thanks! Who predicted that digital technology would wipe out humanity? In F1, it's already happened! Ciao!
DANRV64
21/12/2025 at 04:15 a.m.
Let's wait and see what this factory will produce; we've had so many declarations promising exciting races.
eric stevens
21/12/2025 at 03:56 a.m.
A naturally aspirated V8 with synthetic fuel, weighing 700kg, with wheels protected against minor impacts, letting the drivers do their job would have been simpler than this geeky contraption which, hopefully not, will at the very least be a gamble, and certainly a disappointment.