Stripped of the sport's new "straight mode" system due to safety and circuit limits, the streets of Monte Carlo are set for another predictable Sunday snooze.
The most boring race on the F1 calendar just got a whole lot more boring. This follows the FIA's ruling that overtake mode will be heavily restricted from the Monaco Grand Prix.
Formula One’s newest overtaking innovation will not feature at the Monaco Grand Prix after the FIA decided the famous street circuit is simply too unsuitable for the system. The decision means Monaco will become the only race on the 2026 calendar without the sport’s new “straight mode” active aero system, which was introduced to improve overtaking under Formula One’s latest regulations.
The new technology replaces the traditional DRS system and allows drivers to reduce aerodynamic drag on straights to gain additional top speed. It forms part of the FIA’s attempt to make racing closer and overtaking easier in the new generation of F1 cars.
However, Monaco’s layout has once again proven to be the ultimate exception. The Monte Carlo circuit is widely regarded as the narrowest and slowest track on the calendar, with almost no genuine straights long enough for the system to operate effectively. The track is famous for its luxury but, from a racing perspective, it can be considered meek at the very best. The tight barriers, rapid corners, and lack of heavy braking zones also make overtaking attempts incredibly risky.
