Formula 1 Knowledge Hub

The RNT‑Motorsports Formula 1 Knowledge Hub is your guide to the technical, strategic and regulatory side of modern Formula 1. Here you’ll find clear, fan‑friendly explanations of the most important concepts in F1,from aerodynamics to hybrid systems, racecraft and rules.

Explore the topics below.

Aerodynamics

Want to learn more?

Each topic sets out the current 2026 rules and what they mean in practice to help fans understand how modern Formula 1 works.

Formula 1 Topics

Active Aero Explained
How Straight Mode and Corner Mode shape the 2026 cars.

Dirty Air Explained
Why following is harder in corners.

Slipstream Explained
How low‑drag air boosts straight‑line speed.

ERS Explained
How hybrid energy shapes modern F1.

Tyre Degradation Explained
Why tyre management wins races.

Safety Car & VSC Explained
How neutralisations affect strategy.

F1 Sprint Explained
The short race format and points system.

Parc Fermé Explained
The rules that lock car setup.

Looking for DRS?

DRS no longer exists. The 2026 regulations replaced it with two separate things that are constantly confused with each other.

Active aero lets the wings switch between Straight Mode and Corner Mode inside designated zones. Every car has it, in the same places, so it creates no advantage over the car ahead.

Overtake Mode is the actual overtaking aid: a driver within one second of the car in front at the detection point receives an extra 0.5 MJ of electrical energy for the following lap, and holds full power to a higher speed than the car being chased.

The 2026 Power Unit

The other half of the story sits under the engine cover. The MGU-H is gone, MGU-K output rises to 350 kW, the split between combustion and electric power is now close to 50/50, and the cars run on 100 per cent sustainable fuel. Our ERS article covers how that works in practice.