F1’s New Straight Mode Dropped for Monaco Grand Prix

F1’s new ‘Straight Mode’ feature will not be available at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, making it the first race of the 2026 season to omit the overtaking aid.

The updated circuit map on Formula 1’s official website shows Monaco without any Straight Mode activation zones, unlike the first five races of the campaign.

Formula 1 introduced active aerodynamics for 2026 as part of its new lighter and more raceable chassis regulations. Both the front and rear wings can open to reduce drag, giving drivers an additional mechanism to increase top speed alongside the new 50/50 split power units, which equally combine combustion engine output and electrical energy.

Under FIA regulations, each Straight Mode activation zone must last a minimum of three seconds. As a result, even Monaco’s former sole DRS zone along the pit straight was deemed too short to qualify.

However, Overtake Mode will still be available during the race. The detection point is located before La Rascasse at Turn 18, with activation occurring on the exit of Antony Noghès, the circuit’s final corner.

Whether the absence of Straight Mode will further reduce overtaking opportunities around the Principality remains unclear. Monaco’s biggest criticism during the ground-effect era centred on the difficulty of overtaking with larger cars.

With the 2026 cars being lighter and more agile, combined with Monaco’s 3.3km layout placing less strain on energy management, there is hope that drivers will have more opportunities to race and overtake across the 22-car field at Formula 1’s blue-riband event.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade and is a member of the AIPS (International Sports Press Association). Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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