Formula 1 is gearing up to revolutionize the dynamics of its races with a new regulation for 2026. By ending the drag reduction system (DRS) that has dominated circuits since 2011, the FIA is introducing the Manual Override Mode (MOM), a new overtaking aid.<\/p>\n
The MOM is a power boost system, added to the regulations in order to encourage overtaking on the track. It will allow drivers to access the maximum power of their MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic) when they are less than one second behind the car ahead. This will be made possible through redesigned power units, offering nearly 300% additional battery power.<\/p>\n
The energy deployment will be optimized, gradually decreasing after 290 km\/h, to reach zero once 355 km\/h is reached. This means that a driver in MOM mode will continue to benefit from an additional 350 kW of energy up to 337 km\/h, giving him a significant advantage to catch up with and overtake his competitors.<\/p>\n
The technical director of single-seaters at the FIA, Jan Monchaux, detailed the operation of the MOM: \u00ab If you are at a certain distance, before the end of a lap, compared to the car in front of you, then for the next lap, you will have the possibility to use more electrical power than your opponent. \u00bb<\/p>\n
Monchaux added that this new electric energy boost replaces the opening of the rear wing, allowing the following car to have an additional boost to try to overtake: \u00ab Currently, with the DRS, you are behind a car, within one second, which ticks a box and allows you to open your DRS on the straight. This will no longer be the case. However, the logic will remain the same: I am close enough to another car, I am given an additional amount of energy for this lap, which I can deploy as I wish.<\/p>\n
In addition to DRS, the 2026 single-seaters will benefit from more elaborate active aerodynamics, with moving elements on the front and rear wings. This will introduce two new modes: Mode Z for maximum aerodynamic downforce and Mode X for minimal drag.<\/p>\n
These modes will be activated by the pilot, but only in specific areas considered safe, in order to use reduced support levels.<\/p>\n
These changes are part of a desire to improve the racing experience for drivers and spectators, by increasing overtaking opportunities while ensuring better safety on the circuit.<\/p>\n
We will have to wait until the beginning of the 2026 championship to see the impact of this new regulation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The FIA has introduced a new regulation in F1 for the 2026 season, marking the end of an era, with the disappearance of the DRS, used since 2011. Instead, a new system called Manual Override Mode will be introduced to improve overtaking opportunities. But then, how does it work?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":44242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,1749],"tags":[235,370,1338],"class_list":["post-28976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","category-news","tag-drs","tag-fia","tag-reglement"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n