The FIA have confirmed a record five straight-line mode zones will be active for Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, matching the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as the most activation points at any circuit in 2026.
According to an updated circuit map published by the governing body and reported by PlanetF1.com, drivers will be permitted to open their active aero wings twice through Sector 1 – on the run to Eau Rouge and along the full length of the Kemmel Straight – before three further zones follow through Sector 3 towards the Bus Stop chicane. Notably, no straight-line mode zone has been placed through Pouhon, with the FIA treating the corner’s speed and downforce demands as too great a risk for reduced-drag running.
Fernando Alonso Warns Of Brutal Energy Trade-Off Through Spa’s Middle Sector
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, speaking to PlanetF1.com and other media, said the layout leaves drivers with an unforgiving energy management puzzle heading into the weekend. “Silverstone and Spa, they are very thirsty on energy and you cannot deploy on all the straights,” Alonso said. “If you deploy at Spa from Turn 1 to 5, finito for the rest of the lap.”
The double-length Kemmel Straight and the run towards the Bus Stop are understood to be the priority deployment zones for teams chasing outright speed, at the cost of a bone-dry middle sector through Pouhon and Fagnes.
Spa’s active aero map follows the FIA’s tightening of scrutiny on rear wing failures earlier this season, and arrives the same week McLaren confirmed a new Mercedes-badged power unit specification for the Belgian weekend.
The Belgian Grand Prix runs from July 17-19, with qualifying on Friday, a Sprint on Saturday and Sunday’s 44-lap Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
