More than a simple evolution, Formula 1 has conceived the mobile aerodynamics of the new single-seaters which will make their debut starting from the 2026 season as a real revolution.
The new generation of cars, the concepts of which were revealed today, will see the abandonment of the DRS to embrace a new system of mobile wings that Motorsport.com had already revealed to you a few weeks ago, i.e. the system that will make not only the rear wing, but also the front one.
Z-Mode and X-Mode, how they will work
FIA 2026 F1 car rendering
Photo by: FIA
But let’s find out in detail the systems that will be recognized as Z-Mode and X-Mode. To explain them, an important clarification related to the wings must be made. The rear one will be composed of three mobile elements, while the front one will be made up of two (always mobile). The two wings will have to work together to guarantee the best possible balance to the cars depending on the situation they find themselves in while on the track.
For this reason, two very specific and distinct modes called Z-Mode and X-Mode have been recognized and named.
Z-Mode: this is the standard mode, the high downforce one, which will be used when the single-seaters are in any type of corner, whether slow, medium or fast.
X-Mode: this, however, is the high-speed, low-drag mode that will be used on straights. This will help the cars increase their top speeds.
FIA 2026 F1 car rendering
Photo by: FIA
The differences between DRS and X-Mode
In addition to presenting structural differences, also taking advantage of the low aerodynamic resistance due to the use of mobile flaps also on the front wing, the end of the 2025 season.
DRS is now activated at specific points on the track and, during the race, only when two cars are less than a second apart.
The use of the -Mode) regardless of the gaps”.
“So, at predefined points of the lap, a driver will be able to switch to low drag mode to have the ability to perform on the straights, where grip is not limited.”
“Then when you approach the braking zone, you will switch back to high downforce mode. Each car will have the ability to switch from one mode to another by moving the rear wing and adjusting the front one, and each car following will do the same. same thing”.
“This is an active control system managed by the pilot, but he will have a button, as he now has with DRS, to indicate when he can activate the low drag mode. The system will return to the high drag mode aerodynamics under the control of the pilot or via brake pressure”.
The current DRS system in operation
The similarities between DRS and X-Mode
Not only diversity, but also some similarities between the current DRS system and X-Mode. To activate the low drag mode, specific zones will be created along the track, although the specifics have not yet been defined.
“We have these two modes that will be set depending on the zones of the track. Drivers will be able to switch between the two modes when permitted.”
“There may be sporting regulations that, for example, prevent its use in wet conditions, but for the time being we expect drivers to have access to both modes on the track for every lap.”
The engine “override” system for overtaking
FIA 2026 F1 car rendering
Photo by: FIA
Not just X-Mode. With the elimination of DRS, the FIA has thought of a system that can increase overtaking opportunities. This is what is called “override engine mode”. Therefore a surplus of power to be used.
The mode will provide an additional boost of power derived from the power unit which will give the drivers the opportunity to overtake the cars in front.
While the energy deployment of a leading car reduces after 290 km/h, reaching zero at 355 km/h, the following single-seater will be able to benefit from a surplus of power deriving from the MGU-K which will provide 350 kW up to 337 km/h with +0.5 Mj additional tick.
The technical director of the FIA single-seater department, Jan Monchaux, explained the override system thus: “Currently the DRS is used when you are behind a car, but less than a second away from it. At that point, if you are in this situation, there is a notification that allows drivers to activate DRS on the designated straights.”
“The situation will no longer be like this, but the logic will remain the same: if I am close enough to another car I will be given an extra amount of energy on that lap which I can use as I want.”
“The extra amount of energy is defined and will give that boost to give the following car a chance to overtake by the end of the straight.”
#Goodbye #DRS #XMode #ZMode #work
