With the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix set to wave the chequered flag on the current era of Formula 1 cars, fans are already buzzing about what’s coming next. Sunday’s race at Yas Marina will be the final outing for the ground-effect regulations introduced in 2022, and all eyes are turning to the radical overhaul arriving in 2026. Among the many changes, one stands out above the rest: the iconic Drag Reduction System (DRS), a fixture since 2011, is officially being retired.
For the past 14 seasons, DRS has been the go-to overtaking aid, letting drivers flip open a rear-wing flap for a straight-line speed boost whenever they were within one second of the car ahead. Love it or hate it, the glowing rear-wing graphic and dramatic lunges down the main straight have become part of F1’s DNA. But starting in 2026, that familiar sight will be gone, replaced by a brand-new weapon called Manual Override Mode (MOM).
The new system trades mechanical drag reduction for pure electrical punch. Thanks to redesigned power units packing nearly three times more battery power, drivers will be able to unleash a short, sharp burst of extra energy to attack the car in front—again, only when within one second. It’s essentially an “overtake button” on steroids, and teams will have to manage deployment strategy much more carefully than the old open-and-close DRS flap.
What really sent fans into hysterics, though, is the abbreviation. The moment people realised DRS is being swapped for MOM, social media exploded with memes and giggles. One wrote, “Just remembered this is the last race before DRS is replaced with MOM and started laughing so hard at the potential radios I couldn’t breathe.” Others couldn’t resist: “From 2026, drivers will have to use their MOM to overtake,” and the inevitable “Be ready for crofty screaming ‘Piastri is now inside Verstappen’s MOM!’”
The first taste of MOM in action will come during pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 11-13, 2026, with the new season kicking off in Melbourne on March 6-8. Whether the new overtake boost delivers the same drama as DRS—or just endless “your MOM” jokes—remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: F1 radio is about to get a lot funnier.
About the Author
