HOW F1’S NEW OVERTAKING MODE WILL WORK IN 2026 – AND WHY IT MATTERS FOR LEWIS AND FORMULA 1
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 straight-line speed, and attempt the pass.
There is no doubt DRS increased overtaking numbers in F1. But over time, it also became predictable. Many passes felt artificial, with drivers sailing past before the braking zone and barely fighting into the corner. For purists, it often felt less like racing and more like a highway overtake.
Lewis has raced through every era of DRS. He mastered it, used it ruthlessly, and won countless battles with it. But even Lewis has often spoken about the need for Formula 1 to remain challenging, to test drivers, and to avoid making things too easy. That philosophy sits at the core of why DRS is being removed in 2026.
What Is F1’s New Overtaking Mode?
Overtaking mode replaces DRS as the main tool for passing in Formula 1. But unlike DRS, it does not rely on changing the shape of the rear wing. Instead, overtaking mode is built around power unit deployment.
In simple terms, the attacking driver is given access to more electrical power from the Energy Recovery System (ERS) than the defending driver. This creates a speed advantage without physically altering the car’s aerodynamics. This is a massive shift in how overtaking works in F1.
Rather than a rear wing opening, overtaking mode uses increased electrical deployment to boost acceleration and top speed, especially on straights. For Lewis, a driver renowned for throttle control, racecraft, and understanding energy management, this could become a powerful tool if Ferrari executes it properly.
Active Aerodynamics And The 2026 Formula 1 Cars
One key reason overtaking mode can exist is because F1 is embracing active aerodynamics in 2026. All cars will automatically switch to low-drag aerodynamic configurations on straights. This means every driver, not just the one attacking, benefits from reduced drag and higher efficiency.
DRS is no longer needed to reduce drag because the cars are already doing it themselves. So how do you create a speed difference between two cars? The answer is power.
Overtaking mode allows the attacking car to deploy more electrical energy than the defending car, creating a performance gap that can be used to attempt a pass. This makes overtaking less about who has DRS and more about who uses their energy smartest.
How Much Power Does Overtaking Mode Provide?
The key figure in the 2026 Formula 1 regulations is 350kW. That is the maximum power output of the ERS-K under the new rules. This electrical power plays a much bigger role than in previous F1 eras.
The power split for 2026 engines moves to a 50/50 balance between the internal combustion engine and electrical power. This alone makes energy management central to performance. Overtaking mode allows drivers to use more of this electrical power when attacking.
However, how much extra power can be deployed depends on speed, deployment limits, and FIA-controlled parameters. The exact equations are complex, and even engineers admit they will take time to fully optimise. As fans, we will likely need to watch the racing itself to truly understand how powerful overtaking mode becomes in real-world conditions.
Energy Harvesting And Strategy
Drivers are normally limited to harvesting a maximum of 8.5MJ of electrical energy per lap. When overtaking mode is active, this limit can increase by up to 0.5MJ for that lap. That may not sound like much, but in modern Formula 1, small energy gains can mean the difference between making a pass or running out of deployment before the braking zone.
For Lewis, this introduces a familiar challenge. Energy management has always been one of his strengths, particularly during his dominant years. Knowing when to deploy, when to harvest, and when to wait is a key part of elite racecraft. Overtaking mode rewards intelligence, timing, and precision.
Detection Points And Activation Zones
Just like DRS, overtaking mode will not be freely available at all times. The FIA will define detection points to measure the gap between cars. If the attacking driver is within the specified time window, overtaking mode becomes available.
During the DRS era, this gap was fixed at one second. For overtaking mode, the FIA has not locked in a specific number. It may vary by circuit depending on safety, track layout, and expected closing speeds. Activation zones will also be defined, meaning drivers can only use overtaking mode in specific areas of the track.
All of this information will be communicated to teams at least four weeks before each Grand Prix weekend, giving them time to prepare strategies.
When Overtaking Mode Cannot Be Used
Many of the old DRS rules still apply, just under a new system.
Overtaking mode will not be available on the opening lap of a race. It will only be enabled once the leader has crossed the detection point for the first time.
After a Safety Car, overtaking mode will be re-enabled once all cars have passed the detection point again.
The Race Director retains full authority to disable the system in dangerous conditions, such as heavy rain, low grip, or poor visibility.
This ensures safety remains the priority, even as F1 experiments with new technology.
Practice, Qualifying, And Sprint Sessions
Overtaking mode will be available during practice and qualifying, just as DRS was. If the system is disabled at any point during qualifying, it will remain disabled until the end of that segment. This avoids confusion and unfair advantages.
If a driver experiences a system failure that prevents them from receiving the activation signal, the team must request permission from the Race Director for manual operation. The responsibility then falls on the team to ensure correct usage.
This adds another layer of complexity, especially during high-pressure qualifying sessions.
What This Means For Lewis And Ferrari
For Lewis, overtaking mode represents both an opportunity and a risk. On one hand, Lewis thrives in systems that reward intelligence, experience, and adaptability. He has always been exceptional at reading races, managing energy, and executing passes with precision.
On the other hand, Ferrari must get the execution right. If Ferrari fails to optimise energy deployment, power unit integration, or driver feedback, overtaking mode could become another frustration rather than a weapon. The 2026 regulations are about resetting Formula 1. They are also about resetting Ferrari.
Lewis has already made it clear that Formula 1 should be challenging. He believes the sport should push drivers to adapt, evolve, and improve. Overtaking mode fits that philosophy perfectly.
Why This Change Could Improve Racing
If overtaking mode works as intended, we could see fewer easy passes and more genuine battles. Instead of pressing a DRS button and cruising past, drivers will need to plan their attacks, manage their energy, and commit to moves under braking.
Defending drivers will also have more tools to fight back, knowing the attacker’s advantage is limited and strategic rather than overwhelming. This is real racing. This is what many fans have been asking for.
Final Thoughts On F1’s Overtaking Mode
The removal of DRS and the introduction of overtaking mode marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one for Formula 1. It is a bold gamble. It could either revolutionise racing or introduce fresh problems that need refinement.
But Formula 1 has always been about innovation and challenge. As Lewis himself has said, without change, the sport would become easy and stagnant.
For Lewis, Ferrari, and the future of F1, overtaking mode is not just a technical detail. It is a statement of intent.
Formula 1 is choosing to challenge its drivers once again.
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