FIA confirms two Straight Mode zones for Azerbaijan GP

The FIA has confirmed two Straight Mode (SM) zones for this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the first active-aero race around the Baku City Circuit. The event will run on Saturday after being moved to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day on 27 September.

Why it matters:

Active aero has replaced DRS in 2026, and Baku's mix of a long main straight and tight middle sector makes SM placement crucial. With only two zones, drivers must exploit the run to Turn 1 and the short burst to Turn 3, while the rest of the lap runs in standard high-downforce trim. That will shape overtaking and strategy on a circuit where Red Bull has historically dominated.

The details:

• Saturday schedule: FP1 and FP2 on Thursday, FP3 and qualifying on Friday, race on Saturday.
• First SM zone: the 2.2km main straight from Turn 19 to Turn 1.
• Second SM zone: the shorter straight between Turns 2 and 3.
• No SM elsewhere: Sector 2 and the first part of Sector 3 stay in standard configuration.
• Zone counts vary: Monaco has zero; Baku joins Japan, Netherlands and Spain with two; Australia and Belgium lead with five.

What's next:

Max Verstappen is chasing a record third Baku win, with Red Bull having taken five of eight Azerbaijan GPs. Sergio Perez, the other multiple winner, now races for Cadillac after his Baku wins in 2021 and 2023. Saturday will be the first real test of active aero and the two SM zones on one of F1's most demanding street circuits.