Autobayng News Team
The FIA has confirmed the details of Formula 1’s first ‘straight mode’ zones for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.
F1’s governing body has also contradicted reports which claimed the pit lane speed limit has been lowered.
As a result of F1’s new regulations for 2026, the former DRS zones have been replaced by ‘straight mode’ zones. At these points on the track drivers may lower their front wings as well as their rear wings, irrespective of how close they are to any other car.
Melbourne previously had the most DRS zones of any track on the calendar, with four. It will have five ‘straight mode’ zones.
The previous zones ran between turns two and three, eight and nine, 10 and 11 and from 14 to the first corner. In addition to those, drivers will also be able to activate ‘straight mode’ on the short run between turns five and six.
The lengths of some ‘straight mode’ zones will vary depending on track conditions. When the race director deems the track is in a ‘low grip’ state, the activation points for the zone on the pit straight and the following two zones will be later, shortening the length of track on which drivers can lower their rear wings. The other two zones will not change.
The FIA has clarified there will be no change to the pit lane speed limit despite reports elsewhere yesterday which claimed otherwise.
Some publications quoted the Australian Grand Prix Corporation’s chief event operation officer Tom Mottram claiming the speed limit had been reduced from 80kph to 60kph due to safety concerns arising from the addition of an 11th team this year. Mercedes also claimed the pit lane speed limit has been reduced in their pre-event press release.
However according to the FIA the speed limit remains unchanged at 80kph.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
2026 Australian Grand Prix
- FIA confirms ‘straight mode’ zones for Melbourne and no pit lane speed limit change
- F1 suspends curfew rules for Australian GP due to travel disruption
- Will first race for new rules disprove the doom-mongers? Australian GP talking points
- How to watch the 2026 Australian Grand Prix live
- Cadillac accept rules “quirk” means Bottas will serve grid penalty at team’s first race
Browse all 2026 Australian Grand Prix articles
Published by
Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 – when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing. View all posts by Keith Collantine
