A new technical era

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix ushers in one of the biggest technical regulation overhauls in Formula One history, with both engine and aerodynamic rules rewritten. The new power units lean far more on electrical power, reshaping the sport’s aerodynamic philosophy and giving rise to “active aero” — and, crucially, a dedicated Overtake Mode built into the more powerful hybrid engines.

Fans grew used to the Drag Reduction System (DRS), introduced in 2011 as an early form of active aero that used a rear-wing flap to slash drag and aid passing for cars within a second of the car ahead. DRS as we knew it is gone. The new active aero still moves rear-wing flaps, but now the front wings change shape too — and any driver can use it on a straight, not just those chasing within a second.

What is Overtake Mode?

In simple terms, think Mario Kart: Overtake Mode is the mushroom from the item box, a brief burst of speed deployed strategically to get alongside a rival. The FIA anticipates “the chances of an overtake occurring will also be increased by the leading car’s energy deployment tapering off after 290km/h, while the car behind can use the override for a full 350kW up to 337km/h.” In plain language, the leader’s power tapers as it harvests energy, while a chasing car with Overtake Mode active keeps pushing to full power past that point.

Drivers must wait until they are within a second of the car ahead to deploy the boost at a detection point. Oscar Piastri noted in early February that Overtake Mode works like DRS in being confined to designated zones, but he drew a distinction from the wing-opening active aero replacing DRS: “Before, it was an overtaking aid. Now it’s just to reduce drag and take some of the limitation away from the (engine). It’s just a different purpose.” Piastri also pointed out the loss of a visual cue: “DRS was quite nice in a way that it was very visual. You saw (the rear wing) pop open, and it was very easy to predict an overtake was happening. Whereas now, you don’t have that visual reference.”

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli described 2026 F1 racing as “speed chess,” adding that closing speeds between cars using Overtake Mode and those suddenly slowing to harvest energy could be “very, very big.”

How overtaking has changed

Even before Overtake Mode enters the picture, racing between two cars is different. With more electrical power, both cars accelerate faster out of corners than the 2025 machines, potentially making it harder for a chaser to close up. Williams team principal James Vowles highlighted the scale of the shift: the MGU-K — which converts braking energy into electrical power — is now three times more powerful than in 2025, as is acceleration out of corners, giving drivers a far larger pool of electrical energy to manage. “You (could) save it for the next little bit (of track), and it’s a lot more dynamic than it was before,” Vowles said.

What the drivers think

Preseason testing in Bahrain revealed overtaking may be tougher this year. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said drivers found it “extremely difficult to overtake” and warned the sport risked “losing one of the fundamental elements of the nature of racing” without action. “As an F1 community, we should look at what can be done to make sure that we have a sensible feasibility when it comes to overtaking,” he said.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc called passing “extremely difficult,” stressing that every move “comes with a price” as the new engines drain energy. “The price is a lot more costly than it was in the past,” he said. “That’s why I think it’s very difficult to make an overtake and pull away, like it was the case last year.”

George Russell noted the mode’s effectiveness will vary by circuit. At Barcelona, with essentially one major straight, cars can bank a large energy reserve — but if every car is already at maximum on that straight, “when you use your boost, there’s not much of a gain.” On tracks with many straights, he said, differing strategies could emerge. “I think it’s exciting. I think it’s going to be different,” Russell said. “Time will tell.”

Pierre Gasly struck a measured tone: “I think we just need to be open-minded and see how it’s going to be.” The regulations can always be tweaked, and overtaking could grow easier with time.