HOW F1’S NEW OVERTAKING MODE WILL WORK IN 2026 – AND WHY IT MATTERS FOR LEWIS AND FORMULA 1
Formula 1 is heading for one of the biggest changes in its modern history in 2026, and at the heart of that reset is the end of DRS and the arrival of something entirely new: overtaking mode. For Lewis, for Ferrari, and for the entire F1 grid, this change is about more than just a different button on the steering wheel. It is about redefining how racing, attacking, and defending works in Formula 1. As a long-time F1 fan, this feels like a bold move that could either revive wheel-to-wheel racing or create a brand-new set of challenges for drivers and teams to master. Let’s break it all down in simple terms, explain how overtaking mode works, and explore why it could be a crucial factor for Lewis and F1 in the new era. The End Of DRS And Why Formula 1 Is Moving On From 2011 through to the end of 2025, the Drag Reduction System defined overtaking in Formula 1. DRS was simple: get within one second of the car ahead at a detection point, open the rear wing flap in the DRS zone, gain straigh...