Monaco Grand Prix rule change introduced by FIA that hasn't been seen this season
The FIA have introduced a rule change for the Monaco Grand Prix that hasn't been seen so far this season.
The prestigious 78-lap race takes place along the streets of Monte Carlo on Sunday, June 7.
Circuit de Monaco's tight nature means that overtaking is always extremely difficult during the race, which makes qualifying for the Grand Prix the most important of the season.
There is hope that there may be more overtaking opportunities in 2026, with the new regulations allowing cars to follow each other much more closely.
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Previously, the main DRS straight provided chances to overtake but cars were often too far behind coming out of the final corner.
DRS has since been replaced by an active aerodynamics system, with 'straight mode' allowing drivers to lower their front and rear wings via the press of a button on the steering wheel to increase straight-line speeds.
But for Monaco, the rule will not be in place.
Monaco GP 'straight line mode' change explained
According to The Race, the FIA hold safety concerns about 'straight mode' being used around the streets of Monte Carlo, having enforced a minimum three-second time limit for the mode to be used at other circuits.
Their stance is said to be that the mode 'should only be in places where the cars are not operating at the limit of tyre grip'.
Monaco is one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar for drivers, who have to be even more laser-focused than they would be at other circuits due to the constant close proximity to walls and barriers at every corner.
It is noted that they want to avoid any issues with car stability that could increase the chances of an accident occurring, with this including 'lateral loads when cornering but also traction and braking zones'.
The Monaco Grand Prix is therefore set to be even more unique compared to other races during the 2026 Formula 1 season.
There will, however, still be an overtake mode available, which can be activated out of the final corner and used across the pit straight.
That will make the infamous Sainte Devote corner a particularly important overtaking opportunity ahead of what may be an attritional 78 laps for the drivers.
Elsewhere, teams were told by the FIA that they had to perform two mandatory pit stops last year in an attempt to improve the spectacle of the Grand Prix, but that only proved to have a negative effect.
Some teams decided to pit their lead driver in the opening laps of the Grand Prix, with their other driver backing up the cars behind so that, when their pit windows arrived, the lead driver would overtake the pack and be in clean air.
The rule was unsurprisingly scrapped ahead of the 2026 running of the Grand Prix.
Ryan Smart