How it works ?
How the 2026 F1 Overtake & Boost Systems Work
The 2026 F1 regulations dramatically increase electrical power. The MGU-K jumps from 120kW to 350kW, meaning nearly half the car's ~750kW total comes from the electric motor. DRS is gone, replaced by active aerodynamics and a new energy-based overtaking system with two distinct tools:
Boost is your baseline energy tool -- regular battery deployment via a steering wheel button, available to any driver, anytime, anywhere on track. No proximity requirement. The ERS harvests energy from braking and exhaust gases; drivers deploy it whenever they want. It drains the Energy Store faster, so managing when to use it is key. Both cars have a Boost button (press A or B).
Overtake Mode is conditional -- a weapon you earn by getting close enough to fight. When the chaser is within ~1 second at the Overtake Zone (on the pit straight approaching T1), they earn an extra +0.6 MJ of energy deployed on the following lap. This bonus pushes the Energy Store above 100% (shown in gold on the battery bar), giving the chaser a visible energy advantage. The leader's MGU-K electrical power tapers off after 290 km/h, while the chaser with Overtake can deploy 350kW all the way up to 337 km/h -- a significant straight-line advantage at high speeds. When Overtake Mode is active, the AI automatically deploys boost on straights to capitalize on this extended range.
Regenerative braking is automatic -- whenever a car decelerates, the MGU-K harvests kinetic energy (up to 350kW) to recharge the Energy Store. Heavier braking means more regen. This circuit is the perfect test: long straights where the MGU-K taper matters most, and deep braking chicanes that feed the battery. Watch how Car B can earn Overtake Mode by closing up, then deploy the extra energy on the following lap to make a move into the first chicane.
Boost is regular battery deployment — available to any driver, anytime, anywhere on track. Drains the Energy Store faster but gives a speed advantage. Press A / B to toggle.