Source: Official Team Post via X
FIA Confirms Straight Mode Zones for Austin GP
The United States Grand Prix will feature two Straight Mode zones, as confirmed by the FIA. This new addition to the 2026 season promises to enhance speed with active aerodynamics on the Circuit of the Americas.
As the Formula 1 circus rolls into Austin for the United States Grand Prix, the FIA has announced that there will be two Straight Mode zones at the Circuit of the Americas. This marks the first time active aerodynamics are in play at this track, with the 2026 season seeing the introduction of Straight Mode as a new feature.
Straight Mode allows drivers to adjust their front and rear wing angles, optimizing downforce in corners and reducing drag on straights. However, this aerodynamic tweak can only be used in specific zones approved by the FIA. For the race in Austin, the first of these zones starts 120 meters after Turn 20 and runs down the pit straight for 60 meters. The second zone begins 110 meters after Turn 11 and stretches for 70 meters.
This decision brings the United States Grand Prix in line with other circuits like Japan and the Netherlands, which also feature two Straight Mode zones. Meanwhile, circuits like Monaco remain bereft of such zones due to their tight layouts. With these adjustments, the FIA aims to balance speed and safety across the diverse tracks on the calendar.