With super clipping once again expected to a major talking point at this weekend's Belgian GP, the FIA have confirmed that there will be five Straight Mode zones at Spa-Francorchamps, allowing the cars to activate both the front and rear wings simultaneously to minimise drag on the straights.

Just as with DRS in previous years, the first SM zone at Spa will be on the start/finish straight. Intriguingly, the second will be on the downhill straight from La Source to Eau Rouge, while the third is on the Kemmel straight heading to Les Combes. The fourth will see SM activated on the exit of Stavelot, and deactivated before the fast left-hander of Blanchimont. The fifth and final Straight Mode zone will be located towards the Bus Stop chicane.

With energy recovery expected to be challenging at Spa, due to its long straights and lack of heavy braking zones, drivers such as Fernando Alonso have examined the difficulties the drivers face this weekend in terms of deployment.

Speaking to media after the British GP, Alonso said: "Obviously, Silverstone and Spa, they are very thirsty on energy. You cannot deploy in all on the straights. Next week, it is going to be the same thing. If you deploy in Spa from Turn 1 to 5, it is finito for the rest of the lap.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has shared similar concerns ahead of the Belgian GP, echoing what he has heard from drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri this season so far.

Meanwhile, in his preview of the Belgian GP this weekend, Red Bull's Max Verstappen has also warned of the potential energy management issues at Spa.

The Dutchman enters the Belgian GP weekend off the back of a difficult British GP two weeks prior, where he failed to finish after a Lap 48 crash he said was caused by a "super dangerous" rear wing. Verstappen's criticism of Red Bull, not only with regard to the crash, but setup throughout the Silverstone weekend, will also do little to quell speculation of a potential move to McLaren.

Speaking in his pre-Spa preview, Verstappen said: "It has been good to have a bit of a break and, although Silverstone was a tough weekend, I have been back at the factory with the Team last week on the sim.