The opening free practice session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya saw Ferrari devote most of its attention to understanding the extensive aerodynamic and mechanical upgrades introduced on the SF-26. Through a combination of setup experiments, tests with the new Carbon Industries brake discs and a short race simulation, Charles Leclerc worked to identify the ideal balance and eliminate the understeer that has occasionally affected the car. The initial signs were encouraging, but the updated Ferrari still appeared to require further refinement, particularly in the opening sector of the circuit.
Ferrari shows slight understeer during the first run
Ferrari arrived at Montmeló with one of its most substantial upgrade packages of the season. The objective was clear: verify whether the work completed in Maranello could deliver on-track gains matching those predicted by simulations and wind tunnel data.
Lewis Hamilton was not participating in FP1, having handed his SF-26 over to Dino Beganovic as Ferrari fulfilled one of the mandatory rookie driver sessions required by the regulations. As a result, attention naturally shifted to Charles Leclerc, who was tasked with providing the first detailed feedback on the upgraded version of the car.
The Monegasque driver headed onto the circuit after only a few minutes of running. Following an initial phase dedicated to bringing the tyres up to temperature, he began his first representative lap on a set of Pirelli Medium tyres.
The opening push lap was approached cautiously. Charles Leclerc never appeared to be operating close to the limit, while both engine revs and hybrid deployment remained relatively conservative. Within that context, the SF-26 looked stable and predictable, although it was far too early to draw meaningful conclusions regarding its ultimate competitiveness.
During the subsequent cooldown lap, radio discussions focused on power unit mappings and methods of improving rotation both on corner entry and through the middle of the turn. Charles Leclerc reported that the car was not entirely satisfactory when turning into corners, prompting a request for additional front-end load. Ferrari responded by increasing the front wing angle by two clicks.
After completing a practice start at the end of the pit lane, Charles Leclerc returned to the track for a short run of just two laps. The purpose was to determine whether the front wing adjustment had helped reduce the understeer affecting the car.
He then returned to the garage, where Ferrari mechanics appeared to spend several minutes working on the rear of the SF-26 before sending him back out for further evaluation.
Leclerc continues the search for the ideal setup
Charles Leclerc resumed running on the same set of Medium tyres used earlier in the session. After only two laps, another discussion began with race engineer Bryan Bozzi regarding the balance of the car.
The conversation once again centred on front-end behaviour, leading Ferrari to introduce an additional two-click adjustment to the front wing. Despite the changes, the overall character of the SF-26 did not appear dramatically different from the opening run.
The front axle continued to provide a reasonable level of grip, but not the precision Charles Leclerc was seeking in order to attack the corners with complete confidence.
At the same time, Ferrari conducted several constant-speed runs designed to gather valuable aerodynamic data. These tests were particularly important because the upgrade package extends far beyond the front wing and includes revisions to the floor, diffuser and sidepods.
There was no sign of concern inside the Ferrari garage. Instead, the session appeared to follow a carefully planned programme focused on understanding the behaviour of the revised SF-26 and collecting as much information as possible.
The same philosophy applied to the braking system. Using the Carbon Industries discs that Lewis Hamilton has already adopted, Charles Leclerc continued working to adapt to a different braking feel. Ferrari remains focused on helping the Monegasque driver gain maximum confidence with this configuration, which could prove important over the remainder of the season.
After another brief stop, Ferrari fitted a set of Soft tyres and sent Charles Leclerc back onto the track.
The first attempt on the softer compound was not particularly remarkable from a lap-time perspective, although outright pace was not the team’s primary concern. Instead, Ferrari remained focused on drivability and overall balance, areas where the car still appeared to be lacking perfection.
This assessment was reinforced by another significant setup change. Following two quick evaluation laps, Charles Leclerc requested a further reduction of five clicks in front wing angle.
At Turn 1, Bryan Bozzi encouraged the Ferrari driver to attack more aggressively and increase the minimum speed through the apex. Charles Leclerc attempted to do so, but tyre wear limited the potential gains. Similar situations were observed across the grid, with many drivers struggling to improve on worn tyres.
Ferrari still working to understand the upgrades
Following another visit to the pits, Charles Leclerc returned to the track for the final phase of FP1. With approximately seven minutes remaining, Ferrari switched back to Medium tyres and began a short race simulation.
The run lasted four laps and was designed to evaluate the behaviour of the SF-26 with a heavier fuel load. Throughout the stint, Ferrari continued experimenting with differential settings on corner entry, one of the most frequently adjusted parameters during the session.
Several setup changes were introduced as the team searched for the most effective handling balance. Although the run was relatively short, it confirmed several of the trends observed earlier in the day.
While it remains sensible to wait for FP2 before drawing firm conclusions, one area stood out as a likely weakness: the first sector. This portion of the circuit appears to be where the SF-26 is currently losing the most time, with the car struggling to carry the desired minimum speed through the corners.
The final sector looked somewhat more encouraging. The overall balance was reasonably competitive, although Ferrari engineers will undoubtedly continue searching for further gains before qualifying and Sunday’s race.
Overall, the first session suggested that Ferrari’s extensive upgrade package has provided a promising foundation. However, the team still faces the challenge of fully understanding and optimizing the new components before it can accurately assess the true performance potential of the upgraded SF-26.
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