Active Aero Explained:
X-Mode, Z-Mode, Manual Override & 2026 Rules
Say goodbye to DRS. The 2026 cars feature movable wings on both the front and rear, allowing them to change shape while driving.
Will F1 Have DRS in 2026?
No, DRS (Drag Reduction System) is being removed in 2026.
It is being replaced by two new systems: Active Aero (for everyone) and Manual Override (for overtaking). Unlike DRS, which only opened the rear wing, Active Aero moves both the front and rear wings simultaneously.
Is Active Aero the Same for All Teams?
The rules are the same, but the execution is different. Every team must have a system that switches between High Downforce (Z-Mode) and Low Drag (X-Mode). However, how they design the wing flaps, the mechanisms, and the aerodynamic shapes is up to them.
Why Was DRS Removed from Formula 1?
DRS was removed because the 2026 cars rely on active aerodynamics (X-Mode) just to function efficiently on straights. Since every car reduces drag on straights to save energy, the "unfair" speed advantage of opening the wing had to be replaced. The new Manual Override system moves the overtaking boost to the Power Unit instead.
What is Active Aero? (X-Mode vs Z-Mode)
In the past, F1 wings were fixed. In 2026, the driver can switch between two aerodynamic modes while driving:
Z-Mode
The default state.
- ✓Wings are angled steeply.
- ✓Maximum grip for corners.
- ✗High Drag (slower top speed).
X-Mode
Activated by the driver on straights.
- ✓Front and Rear wing flaps flatten out.
- ✓Massive reduction in drag.
- ✓Higher top speed.
Is Active Aero Automatic?
No, the driver must activate it manually.
Just like the current DRS, the driver will press a button on the steering wheel when they enter a designated "activation zone" (usually a straight). The wings will then flatten into X-Mode. When they hit the brakes for the next corner, the system automatically snaps back to Z-Mode (High Downforce) to help slow the car down.
How Will Overtaking Work? (Manual Override)
Since everyone can use X-Mode on the straights, simply reducing drag isn't enough to overtake anymore.
The new overtaking aid is called Manual Override (sometimes called "Overtake Mode").
The "Boost" Button
If a driver is within 1 second of the car ahead, they unlock extra electrical power. While the leading car's energy deployment tapers off at high speed (around 290 km/h), the chasing car gets a 350kW (470hp) boost all the way up to 337 km/h. This speed difference allows them to pass.
Why Active Aero?
In the past, F1 cars had fixed wings (except for DRS). This meant teams had to compromise: set the wings steep for cornering grip but suffer from drag on the straights, or flatten them for speed and slide around in corners. Active Aero solves this by giving the car the "best of both worlds"—high grip in corners and low drag on straights.