Ferrari is preparing to carry out a filming day at the Monza circuit in April, a track that is particularly challenging for hybrid energy recovery due to its high-speed straights and heavy acceleration zones. The Maranello team’s engineers and technicians will bring a power unit specifically designed to operate in a slightly different manner compared to the units that were used in the first two rounds of the season in Melbourne, Australia, and Shanghai, China. The strategy is to deliberately sacrifice a small amount of low-end power in exchange for improved efficiency of super clipping on the long straights, which is crucial for maximizing overall lap performance and maintaining competitive speed against top rivals Mercedes.
The Italian team is reviewing its development program and technical work plans in an effort to close the performance gap with its main opponents in this start of the 2026 Formula 1 championship. The current objective is to take advantage of the calendar break in April, which was caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to geopolitical reasons linked to the war. Ferrari’s engineers intend to accelerate the development plans of the SF-26 in the hope of narrowing the performance deficit with the Mercedes W17, a car that dominated the opening two rounds of the new regulations era by achieving two consecutive 1-2 finishes, a clear demonstration of its superiority in both power unit performance and overall race pace.
The Scuderia is working intensively on every possible development front to uncover and exploit the true potential of the SF-26, a car that was launched into the season with a strong and promising base, yet continues to struggle against the undeniable dominance of Mercedes’ internal combustion engine. In contrast, the SF-26 appears to be very competitive in terms of chassis balance and aerodynamic efficiency, with Ferrari engineers confident that improvements in key areas could allow the car to better match Mercedes’ pace.
At the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, technical departments are actively developing both the STM system and the reversible rear wing, a sophisticated aerodynamic solution. The vertical flap of this system uses the heat of the exhaust gases to accelerate airflow through the deformable structure of the rear wing, improving aerodynamic efficiency. Additionally, this system increases airflow extraction from the rear diffuser, allowing for a substantial increase in downforce without significantly affecting drag or straight-line performance. Such innovations are crucial to Ferrari’s goal of producing a car capable of competing consistently at the front of the grid under varying track conditions.
The “Macarena” rear wing, which was temporarily parked in China after the free practice session, still requires extensive and in-depth development. This includes not only fine-tuning the opening and closing timing of the wing to achieve better synchronization with the front wing, thereby avoiding sudden and harmful imbalances during high-speed cornering, but also refining the complex mechanics of this innovative solution. Ferrari engineers and technicians recognize that its development is not something that can be achieved solely in the wind tunnel; it requires real-world data collection, precise mechanical adjustments, and careful simulation work to achieve the optimal balance of performance and reliability.
The technical staff, led by Ferrari technical director Loic Serra, is determined to ensure that the SF-26 provides drivers with a highly stable rear end. This focus on rear-end stability is one of the reasons why seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been able to regain confidence and “awaken” in the car during the first few races of the season. The SF-26 now appears to better suit Lewis Hamilton’s precise driving style and preferences, offering a combination of traction, balance, and aerodynamic consistency that allows him to push the car to its full potential in both qualifying and race conditions.
As recently reported by various Italian news media outlets, Ferrari has scheduled its second FIA-approved filming day at the Monza circuit. While the exact date has not yet been confirmed, it is anticipated that the session will take place during the latter part of April. The decision to use Monza for this filming day is strategic, as the circuit is widely considered one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar for hybrid energy recovery. Following the cancellation of the Jeddah Grand Prix, Monza now represents the most critical test of Ferrari’s hybrid system performance, with the circuits of Austria and Qatar being the next most challenging in this regard.
The six-cylinder 067/6 power unit will undergo electronic reconfiguration to try to mitigate the effects of Mercedes’ super clipping strategy, which allows the rival team to charge the battery by exploiting the higher output of their Brixworth-built internal combustion engine. Essentially, the Mercedes F1 W17 power unit consumes fuel to generate additional electrical energy, giving their car a significant boost on the straights without the severe loss of speed that other competitors, including Ferrari, experience at the end of the main straights.
Enrico Gualtieri and his team of engineers are therefore carefully analyzing the torque curve of Ferrari’s internal combustion engine. The introduction of the smaller turbo component provides a surplus of power during acceleration, but in certain situations, this can result in excessive rear-wheel slip, which is detrimental to tire performance. By slightly adjusting the torque curve, Ferrari engineers aim to achieve two key benefits: firstly, to reduce energy consumption by limiting hybrid system usage, and secondly, to improve the longevity and durability of the rear tires during a race. Ferrari continues to be recognized as the best car in terms of traction, meaning that these adjustments could also facilitate an increase in peak power output, which aligns with the team’s strategy to counteract the advantages currently being enjoyed by Mercedes, whose cars have been extracting maximum efficiency from their hybrid systems.
Regarding the FIA’s ADUO program, which stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities, Ferrari is also preparing for the potential use of this regulation. ADUO allows the governing body to grant struggling manufacturers permission to enhance their engines if a performance deficit exceeding 2% compared to the most powerful unit on the grid—currently Mercedes—is observed by the sixth race of the season. Ferrari already has a contingency plan in place for this scenario. Discussions are ongoing to determine whether ADUO will be calculated based on the full 22-race calendar, meaning that the first evaluation of eligibility could occur after the Canadian Grand Prix, effectively one-quarter into the season. Should Ferrari or other teams qualify for ADUO, they would be permitted additional dyno testing hours and budget cap exemptions to fund targeted engine development, providing the opportunity to homologate upgraded components outside the standard FIA-approved windows.
Furthermore, Ferrari is collaborating closely with Garrett, the American company responsible for manufacturing the turbo system, to explore possible modifications. The current plan is to retain the turbine itself but to adjust the angle of the vanes in the compressor wheel to achieve a different response and a more linear power delivery. This approach is designed to maintain maximum efficiency while mitigating any potential for rear tire slip or energy wastage. While Mercedes began the new era of agile and responsive cars with a clear advantage in both hybrid and internal combustion power output, Ferrari is determined not to concede too quickly, confident that upcoming circuits will be more favorable to the characteristics of the SF-26, allowing the car to exploit its strengths in traction, chassis balance, and aerodynamics.
Ferrari’s technical program for the SF-26 therefore encompasses multiple areas, from hybrid energy management and torque curve optimization to complex aerodynamic innovations. The Maranello team’s engineers are combining real-world testing, sophisticated simulation, and wind tunnel data to maximize both performance and reliability. With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc behind the wheel, the Scuderia is fully committed to closing the gap with Mercedes, using every technical opportunity to ensure that the SF-26 reaches its full potential as the season progresses.
By carefully managing the power unit, refining aerodynamics, and focusing on rear-end stability, Ferrari aims to offer Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc a car capable of challenging for podiums consistently. The April filming day at Monza will provide valuable data to validate the latest developments, particularly regarding hybrid energy recovery and turbo response. With these ongoing upgrades, Ferrari intends to turn the SF-26 into a car that can exploit both driver skill and technical innovation to compete effectively against Mercedes for race victories in the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.
Leave a Reply