The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) has confirmed that the Spa-Francorchamps circuit will have five Straight Mode (SM) zones during the 2026 Belgian Formula 1 GP, which takes place from July 17 to 19. This is the highest number of the season so far alongside the opening round in Australia.
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One of the main new features will be the release of active aerodynamics approaching the famous Eau Rouge corner. The system can be used on the descent between La Source and Eau Rouge, but will remain prohibited on the Eau Rouge/Raidillon sequence itself.
The decision marks the return of movable wings on this section for the first time in 14 years. Free use of DRS in free practice and qualifying had been banned before 2013 for safety reasons, after drivers took excessive risks to gain time.
Active aerodynamics replaced DRS in the 2026 season and allows drivers to adjust the front and rear wings according to each part of the circuit. In straight mode, the system reduces drag to increase speed, while in corners the car returns to the higher downforce configuration.
At Spa, the first SM zone will be on the main straight. The second will be between La Source and Eau Rouge, while the third will be on the Kemmel straight, after Eau Rouge/Raidillon, heading towards Les Combes. The fourth zone will be at the exit of Stavelot, before the approach to Blanchimont. After the corner, the fifth and final activation area will be available up to the Bus Stop chicane.
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Overtake Mode, a system similar to DRS that provides a power boost when the driver is less than one second behind the car ahead, will also be available on the main straight.
Besides the aerodynamic challenge, Spa is expected to be one of the most demanding tracks for the new F1 power unit. Fernando Alonso, from Aston Martin, highlighted the difficulties in energy management during the Belgian round: “Silverstone and Spa are circuits that consume a lot of energy, and you can’t deploy it on all straights. [At Spa], it will be the same. If you deploy energy at Spa from Turn 1 to 5, it’s over for the rest of the lap. You need to save a bit there to have deployment from [Turn] 14 [Stavelot] to the Bus Stop.”
“But if you deploy on those two straights, which is the ideal deployment, then you have a whole Sector 2 of one minute without any deployment. And without any deployment, we must not forget that this year we have significantly less power than last year and less power than F2. That’s the case when you cut deployment. It’s a challenge,” concluded the two-time world champion.
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