The FIA has published its official summary of the technical updates introduced for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, with six Formula 1 teams declaring new components for Zandvoort. Ferrari is among those making significant changes, focusing heavily on the underside of the SF-26, while Alpine has brought the most extensive package of the weekend. Williams, Racing Bulls, Haas, Audi and Cadillac have declared no updates.
Ferrari’s package centres on several areas of the floor, together with a revised diffuser and an adapted beam wing. The objective is to increase aerodynamic load across the car’s entire operating window while making the airflow structures feeding the rear of the SF-26 more robust and energetic. The changes build on the Scuderia’s wider third SF-26 upgrade package for Zandvoort.
Alpine brings the largest 2026 Dutch GP upgrade package
Alpine has introduced the broadest collection of changes at Zandvoort, working in a coordinated way across the floor, bodywork and rear of the car. The Floor Body, Floor Board, Floor Edge and Diffuser have all been extensively revised with the aim of generating more downforce and improving airflow quality.
The development work extends beyond those areas. Alpine has also modified the Sidepod/Coke region, Rear Corner, rear impact structure and rear wing, making its Dutch Grand Prix package the most comprehensive of the six teams that officially declared new components.
Ferrari SF-26 floor and diffuser receive major Zandvoort update
Ferrari’s work is particularly significant because the majority of the development is concentrated around the floor and diffuser, two closely connected areas in the aerodynamic performance of the SF-26. The changes to the Floor Body, Floor Board and Floor Edge have been designed to increase overall downforce across the full operating range while also improving the stability and strength of the airflow mechanisms directing energy towards the rear diffuser.
The package forms part of a broader push to improve the SF-26’s aerodynamic efficiency. Ferrari has also been working on the airflow entering the floor through its revised Zandvoort bargeboard configuration, with the different areas of the car intended to work together rather than as isolated changes.
According to the official technical declaration, the Floor Body, Floor Board and Floor Edge share an extensive series of revisions. Ferrari has updated the configuration and attachment points of the floor stays, changed the layout of the forward section of the floor and its winglets, reshaped the curvature of the floor edge and revised the geometry at the foot of the board.
The purpose of these developments is to raise aerodynamic load throughout the operating window while increasing the robustness of the airflow mechanisms. Ferrari also wants to improve the structure and energy of the flow being directed towards the rear diffuser.
Ferrari Floor Body, Floor Board and Floor Edge
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Differences: Updated floor-stay configuration and attachment points, revised layout of the forward floor section and winglets, reshaped floor-edge curvature and revised board-foot geometry.
- Objective: Increase overall aerodynamic load across the full operating range while improving the robustness of the airflow mechanisms, flow structure and energy directed towards the rear diffuser.
Ferrari diffuser
The diffuser has also been adapted to take advantage of the improved airflow reaching the rear of the car. Ferrari has introduced an alternative diffuser-support configuration, revised the expansion profile and changed the loading of the diffuser fences.
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Differences: Alternative diffuser-support configuration, revised expansion profile and different loading of the diffuser fences.
- Objective: With improved incoming airflow quality, the diffuser expansion and geometry have been further optimised to increase aerodynamic load while maintaining flow stability.
Ferrari beam wing
The beam wing completes the package. Ferrari has revised the twist distribution along the span of the lower beam-wing element so that it interacts more effectively with the new rear diffuser.
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Revised twist along the span of the lower beam-wing element.
- Objective: A minor update designed to work in conjunction with the new rear diffuser, with particular attention paid to airflow quality.
The changes underline how closely connected Ferrari’s latest developments are. Rather than pursuing a single isolated gain, the Maranello team is working on the quality and stability of the airflow from the front of the floor through to the diffuser and beam wing. Further developments around the car can be followed in the Ferrari technical analysis section.
Aston Martin continues development of its Hungary concepts
Aston Martin has continued refining solutions introduced at the previous round. The team has modified its front wing and also carried out work on the Floor Fences and Diffuser, with the aim of increasing aerodynamic load at the rear.
Rather than representing an entirely separate development direction, the Zandvoort changes continue the work already started with the previous package, as Aston Martin seeks further performance from those concepts.
McLaren targets rear downforce and airflow management
McLaren’s Dutch Grand Prix package is concentrated predominantly at the rear of the car. A new rear wing has been introduced to generate additional downforce, while the central bodywork has been revised to work together with the new wing. The rear brake-duct area has also been modified to improve both airflow management and cooling efficiency.
McLaren rear wing
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: New rear-wing assembly.
- Description: A new rear-wing assembly has been designed and introduced specifically for this event, with the aim of efficiently increasing aerodynamic load in all conditions.
McLaren Coke/Engine Cover
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Revised central bodywork.
- Description: The aerodynamic elements around the coke-bottle region and the rear section of the bodywork have been revised to deliver further aerodynamic benefits in combination with the new rear wing.
McLaren Rear Corner
- Reason: Performance – flow management.
- Difference: Revised rear brake duct.
- Description: The rear brake duct has been modified internally and externally to improve airflow management and provide better aerodynamic performance as well as improved brake cooling.
Mercedes changes front corner to improve rearward airflow
Mercedes has brought a more limited change focused on the front of the car. The team has modified the wheel-drum assembly, separating the front lip from the duct inlet and altering its curvature.
The objective is to create cleaner and more stable airflow across different steering conditions. By improving flow quality over the inner surface of the drum throughout the steering range, Mercedes also aims to improve the aerodynamic flow being directed towards the rear of the car.
- Component: Front Corner.
- Reason: Performance – flow management.
- Difference: Front lip of the drum separated from the duct inlet, with revised curvature.
- Description: Separating the lip from the duct inlet improves airflow quality across the inner surface of the drum throughout the steering range, helping the flow travelling towards the rear of the car.
Red Bull makes reliability-focused wishbone change
Red Bull has also concentrated on the front corner, although its modification is primarily related to reliability rather than direct aerodynamic performance. The team has locally reduced the chord length of the rear arm of the lower wishbone fairing.
The change is intended to reduce loads on the wheel bodywork when high steering angles are reached, improving the reliability of the overall assembly.
- Component: Front Corner.
- Reason: Reliability.
- Difference: Wishbone fairing chord length and wheel bodywork bellows.
- Description: To improve the reliability of the wheel-bodywork assembly, the chord length of the rear arm of the lower wishbone has been locally reduced, decreasing the load on the bellows at higher steering angles.
Aston Martin and Alpine have taken notably different approaches with their technical updates for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Aston Martin is continuing to refine the package introduced at the previous round, while Alpine has arrived with one of the most extensive development packages of the weekend, covering the floor, bodywork and rear of the car.
The changes form part of the wider technical picture at a demanding Zandvoort circuit where aerodynamic balance is particularly important. With the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix Sprint weekend offering limited practice time, teams have relatively little opportunity to evaluate new components before competitive sessions begin.
Aston Martin continues developing its latest aerodynamic package
Aston Martin is continuing the development path introduced at the previous Grand Prix, making further changes to both the front wing and rear of the car. At the front, the team has refined the final element, endplate and an optional flap to increase the available range of aerodynamic balance. Further back, modifications to the Floor Fences and Diffuser are intended to generate additional rear downforce.
Aston Martin front wing
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Reduced chord on the outer section of the final element.
- Description: Local modifications to the final element and the inner foot of the front-wing endplate improve the performance of the new front wing introduced at the previous event.
Aston Martin front wing endplate
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Modification to the inner foot.
- Description: Local changes to the final element and the inner foot of the front-wing endplate are designed to improve the performance of the new front-wing specification introduced at the previous race.
Aston Martin optional front-wing flap
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: New optional front-wing flap.
- Description: The additional flap expands the range of aerodynamic balance that can be achieved through front-wing adjustment, giving Aston Martin more options when optimising the car’s set-up.
Aston Martin Floor Fences
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: New floor fence in the diffuser area.
- Description: The changes at the rear of the car work together to increase rear downforce following the team’s evaluation of the performance delivered by its latest package.
Aston Martin diffuser
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Modification to the lower edge of the diffuser winglet.
- Description: The rear-end modifications have been designed to operate together and increase aerodynamic load at the back of the car following assessment of the new development package.
The approach is therefore evolutionary rather than a complete redesign. Aston Martin is using the Dutch Grand Prix to refine concepts already introduced, extending the available balance range at the front while looking for additional load and improved performance at the rear.
Alpine brings one of the biggest Zandvoort upgrade packages
Alpine’s development programme is considerably broader. The team has brought one of the most extensive packages to Zandvoort, with changes involving the floor, bodywork and rear-end aerodynamics.
The new Floor Body works in combination with revised Floor Board, Floor Edge and Diffuser geometries to increase aerodynamic load while improving airflow quality. The Sidepod/Coke and Rear Corner areas have also been adapted to suit the new configuration. Changes to the rear impact structure and rear wing complete a package designed to produce further downforce.
Alpine Floor Body
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: New floor design.
- Description: The floor geometry has been revised to improve airflow quality across its surface throughout the car’s operating window while generating additional local aerodynamic load.
Alpine Floor Board
- Reason: Performance – flow management.
- Difference: Reprofiled elements.
- Description: The Floor Board elements have been reshaped to improve the quality of the airflow being directed towards the rear of the car.
Alpine Floor Edge
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Optimised floor edges.
- Description: The floor edges and profiles have been redesigned to generate more local aerodynamic load while improving airflow management, efficiency and overall performance.
Alpine diffuser
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Reprofiled diffuser.
- Description: The diffuser geometry has been developed to increase local aerodynamic load while providing an efficient performance improvement across the car’s full operating window.
Alpine Sidepod/Coke
- Reason: Performance – flow management.
- Difference: New bodywork design.
- Description: As part of the wider package, the bodywork has been redesigned to operate efficiently alongside the new floor while still maintaining sufficient cooling capacity.
Alpine Rear Corner
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Reprofiled elements.
- Description: Elements on the surface of the rear drum have been reshaped to improve airflow interaction with the floor and increase local aerodynamic load.
Alpine rear impact structure
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Updated geometry.
- Description: The new geometry has been developed to increase aerodynamic load locally and efficiently throughout the car’s operating window.
Alpine rear wing
- Reason: Performance – local load.
- Difference: Redesigned flap geometry.
- Description: The flap profile has been refined to efficiently increase rear-wing load while maintaining a stable, high-quality airflow field.
Alpine’s package is therefore based on coordinated changes rather than one isolated component. The floor, diffuser, bodywork and rear wing have all been adapted with the aim of improving how the airflow develops from the central section of the car towards the rear while increasing aerodynamic load across a broader range of conditions.
The Dutch Grand Prix forms part of the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, and the compressed Sprint format means Alpine will need to assess this substantial package quickly during the limited practice running available at Zandvoort.
Haas, Audi and Cadillac bring no updates
Three other teams listed alongside these technical declarations have introduced no new components for the Dutch Grand Prix. Haas has declared no updates, while Audi and Cadillac are also competing at Zandvoort without newly declared technical developments.
That makes Alpine’s programme stand out even more strongly. While Aston Martin is refining concepts already introduced at the previous event, Alpine has changed multiple interconnected aerodynamic areas in an effort to improve downforce, airflow quality and efficiency throughout the car’s operating window.
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