F1 Formula 1 - 2026 Season

[TopspeedPT]

 

[TopspeedPT]

EXCLUSIVE: Lando Norris confirms he'll take number 1 for 2026 season

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[Swissbob]

Terrible engines, this I don’t look forward.

 

[TopspeedPT]

Yeah. 50% ICE 50% electric will be a flop IMO. Drivers will need to LICO on the straights.
Cars are slightly smaller thought. That's good.



No more DRS, introducing X and Z modes

From 2026, DRS will be replaced by a 'manual override engine mode' which provides a temporary boost in hybrid power. When the cars are at around 200mph, the speed will taper off due to the new engines, but the override button will give drivers more electrical power for longer. This will likely only be allowed when a car is within one second of another.

In addition, the cars will have two states at all times: 'Z-mode' and 'X-mode'.

Z-mode means the front and rear wings are closed which generates more downforce for the corners. In X-mode, the drivers can open the flaps which will reduce drag and increase speed.

X-mode will only be allowed at certain points of the track and is likely to be forbidden in wet conditions.

Link

Drivers can then switch to X-mode, which is a low-drag configuration that sees the flap angle change on both the front and rear wing to maximise straight-line speed.

Link

 

[TopspeedPT]

New prototype front wing:

 

[Big Sam]

"X-Mode" sounds an awful lot like DRS to me.

 

[TopspeedPT]

Yeah. But this time it seems like everyone can use it at any time in certain zones.
It's like in Qualifying today.

 

[Big Sam]

Yeah. But this time it seems like everyone can use it at any time in certain zones.
It's like in Qualifying today.

Being able to use it at any time doesn't stop it being a drag reduction system.

 

[kiki voinea]

What if : This reduction in ICE motor will further reduce the number of people going to the races ( this year it was a decline ,in most races ) . And Liberty Media will take note of this , and bring back the V8 , so that they could boost the fans again

What if....

 

[Design FIRST]

I stopped following F1 sometime back in 2022 following decades of being an avid fan.

Maybe I'll start casually checking it out again in 2026. Audi, Red Bull-Ford Powertrain and seeing if Lando Norris can defend his title could pique my interest.

 

[TopspeedPT]

Being able to use it at any time doesn't stop it being a drag reduction system.

I agree. I don't understand why they changed the name.