Ferrari emerged from Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying at Sepang with encouraging signs from its latest SF-26 updates, while the weekend also provided another reminder that introducing new Formula 1 parts does not automatically translate into immediate performance. Red Bull continued its recent progress, but Mercedes and McLaren appeared to have more work to do to fully understand their respective development packages.
Max Verstappen claimed pole position in Malaysia ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Isack Hadjar setting the third-fastest time before receiving a five-place grid penalty. Kimi Antonelli took fourth despite completing only one flying lap, while Charles Leclerc finished fifth. The penalty moves Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc forward by one position, putting both on the second row and firmly into the battle at the front.
Red Bull confirms its recent progress
Red Bull once again demonstrated the strong form already visible at the previous round in Azerbaijan, where the Milton Keynes team narrowly missed victory but still secured a double podium.
Max Verstappen was not the only Red Bull driver to stand out. Isack Hadjar has also produced strong performances across the last two race weekends, delivering competitive results in both qualifying and the races. His progression is becoming increasingly significant and suggests Red Bull can now rely on both drivers to contribute at the front.
Red Bull’s improvement appears to be linked primarily to two areas: the upgrade package introduced in Baku and changes to the software management of the power unit. The aerodynamic revisions involved the sidepods, diffuser, mirror supports, Halo and engine cover, with the aim of improving airflow management and the distribution of aerodynamic load.
A further solution appeared in Malaysia around the floor-board area, featuring lines reminiscent of some concepts already used by Ferrari. It is another indication that the aerodynamic philosophies of the two teams are gradually converging in certain areas.
Ferrari upgrades deliver encouraging Bahrain GP response
Ferrari brought new diffuser and T-tray specifications to Sepang. The revised diffuser features an additional flap intended to increase rear downforce, while the T-tray has been reprofiled to improve airflow management at the forward section of the floor.
Both changes are intended to help protect the tyres in high-degradation conditions by increasing load and reducing sliding. The updates produced positive feedback, contributing to improved performance from both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton while also providing potentially useful information looking towards 2027.
The changes are particularly relevant at a circuit where tyre behaviour is expected to play a major role. The characteristics of Pirelli’s Sepang compounds and their potential compatibility with the Ferrari SF-26 could become increasingly important over the full race distance.
Mercedes and McLaren struggle to maximise major updates
The performances of Mercedes and McLaren have been less straightforward than expected before the weekend. Following qualifying, the Brackley and Woking teams appeared to occupy the roles of second and fourth force respectively, despite both arriving with important development work to evaluate.
Mercedes introduced a substantial upgrade package covering the floor fences, diffuser, suspension arms and rear hubs, as well as the floor boards and sidepods. It represents the team’s first genuinely significant development package since the Canadian Grand Prix, aside from circuit-specific adaptations introduced at individual rounds.
Part of the objective appears to be gathering valuable data for next season as well as improving the current car. The new floor fences feature solutions similar to concepts already adopted by Ferrari and McLaren, while the diffuser contains several revised profiles designed to increase rear downforce.
Changes to the suspension and rear hubs pursue the same objective. Mercedes’ floor-board concept also follows a philosophy previously seen on Ferrari, offering another example of the gradual aerodynamic convergence taking place between Formula 1’s leading teams.
McLaren still searching for the ideal balance
McLaren continues to show some of the difficulties already seen in Baku, where its car received an important aerodynamic revision. Long straights and slow corners remain the main weaknesses of the Woking car.
As with Mercedes, McLaren still appears to be working to fully understand its new package. The consequence is greater difficulty in finding the correct balance and, in turn, identifying the ideal setup for the circuit.
The contrast between the four leading teams underlines why the scale of an upgrade package does not necessarily determine its immediate impact. Ferrari and Red Bull appear to have extracted useful performance from their recent developments, while Mercedes and McLaren are still working through the process of understanding theirs. The broader competitive picture can also be followed through the Ferrari vs F1 rivals statistics.
Tyre degradation could matter more than energy management
Looking towards the race, which starts at 09:00 Italian time, all four leading teams appear to have competitive long-run pace. Kimi Antonelli looks particularly strong, followed by Ferrari, McLaren and Max Verstappen.
High tyre degradation could make the race especially dynamic, opening several possibilities in terms of strategy and compound selection. The decisive factor may ultimately be the ability to preserve the tyres rather than energy management.
Another important variable is the evolution of the environmental conditions, which changed significantly over the course of the weekend. One clear indicator has been the Mercedes engine cover, which became progressively more closed as the sessions passed, reflecting changing cooling requirements for the power unit.
For Ferrari, the encouraging element is that the Sepang updates have so far produced useful feedback while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remain close enough to the front to exploit a race in which tyre management and strategic execution could prove decisive.
Leave a Reply