The FIA has restricted active aero usage to just two Straight Mode zones for Formula 1’s debut at the Madring circuit for the Spanish Grand Prix.
The new street layout—which replaces Barcelona as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix—becomes the first new track added to the calendar since Las Vegas in 2023.
Under the 2026 technical regulations, drivers rely on SM active aero to shed drag along designated straights before returning to standard downforce levels for heavy braking and cornering.
F1’s governing body confirmed that the first activation zone will run along the main start/finish straight. The second zone immediately follows Turn 3. As a result, active aero deployment will be completely prohibited throughout the second and third sectors of the lap.
This restriction forces drivers to negotiate Sector 2 in full downforce mode, including Turn 12; the 500-meter-long, 13.5-degree banked right-hander known as La Monumental.
The decision follows chaotic support-series testing at the venue. A recent Formula 3 test session at the high-speed street circuit generated 19 red flags, 11 of which resulted from heavy barrier contact.
Reactions to the Madring
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella warned that the unforgiving proximity of the walls creates a massive challenge for teams and drivers alike.
“It’s a very different circuit to any other circuit,” Stella said. “With these walls, it can be similar to Jeddah, but there’s many more corners and many more high-speed chicanes.
“It’s tricky and hopefully we will have cleaner sessions compared to those that I understand have been the case for the testing that happened there.”
Ferrari remains the only team to have completed laps on the layout following a filming day with its SF-26 in July.
However, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur dismissed suggestions that the running provides his squad with an upper hand.
“The track was mega green when we went there,” Vasseur noted. “I think it will be a tricky one for everybody, perhaps a bit difficult to overtake…
“We are going there with zero data and it’s exciting for me to have also a new venue on the calendar.”
With zero historical race data and unforgiving concrete barriers lining the high-speed sector sweeps, the FIA’s conservative active aero limits set the stage for an unpredictable premier weekend in Madrid.
READ MORE – Williams unveils throwback livery for F1’s Madrid return
Discussion about this post