Overview
- The new regulations shift power units to roughly a 50/50 thermal–electric split, remove the MGU-H, expand the MGU-K, and mandate 100% sustainable fuels.
- DRS is replaced by electronically controlled active aerodynamics with X/Z wing settings, plus an Overtake Mode within one second of a rival and a separate manual Boost.
- Chassis rules trim about 30 kg, narrow the cars, shorten wheelbases, lower overall downforce, and keep 18-inch rubber with a slimmer profile to aid close racing.
- Manufacturer and supplier moves reshape the grid, with Audi entering, Red Bull partnering with Ford, Alpine switching to Mercedes power, Aston Martin aligning with Honda, and Cadillac using Ferrari units.
- The confirmed 24-race schedule opens in Melbourne and ends in Abu Dhabi, features six sprint events, and adds Madrid in place of Emilia-Romagna, as drivers like Charles Leclerc report a livelier feel and changed driving approach.