The new Formula 1 season is up and running and unless you've ignored every mention of the sport since Lando Norris clinched the world championship last December, you'll know the 2026 season is going to look very different.
Technical regulations are always shifting in F1, but 2026 has witnessed a fundamental overhaul of what teams can and can't do, shifting the emphasis onto energy management due to increased electrical reliance.
For the casual viewer watching on TV, changes may be tough to spot, but when it comes to the straights, there will be plenty of difference in the cockpits.
Drivers could previously unlock the drag reduction system (DRS) at specified detection points throughout a lap, but that system has been enveloped by Overtake Mode.
Radio Times brings you the explanation behind Overtake Mode in Formula 1.
What is Overtake Mode in Formula 1 2026?
In previous seasons, DRS could be activated if a driver was within one second of the car in front. This aerodynamically friendly tweak would see the rear wing flap come down, reducing drag and increasing speed.
In 2026, DRS will be known as Active Aero and can be deployed at any time regardless of distances between cars. Straight Mode will lower the rear wing flap like DRS to gain a boost in a straight line, while Corner Mode will mean front and rear wing flaps will close to increase downforce and improve grip in corners.
However, the one-second gap is still relevant as sitting within this range will unlock Overtake Mode.
This mode can be activated with a button press, deploying an extra surge of electrical energy to gain a speed boost for the entirety of the next lap.
For fans of the pinnacle of motorsport racing, Mario Kart, this is the equivalent of picking up a milder version of a golden mushroom.
Cars in overtake mode will gain extra electrical power and be able to harvest more as well. It remains to be seen just how much of an impact this mode will have during real-world racing.
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Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
