Ferrari has arrived at Monza with more than just its latest ADUO-2 Power Unit development, as the team has also introduced a series of aerodynamic refinements to the SF-26 aimed specifically at reducing drag for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. With energy management expected to be one of the defining technical challenges at the Temple of Speed, aerodynamic efficiency has become an equally important part of Ferrari’s Monza package.
The Italian Grand Prix weekend is now officially under way following the opening free practice session at Monza, and the FIA has confirmed the technical changes introduced by the teams for one of the most unusual aerodynamic configurations of the Formula 1 season.
Ferrari SF-26 Monza upgrades focus heavily on aerodynamic efficiency
The key objective for every team at Monza is the pursuit of extreme aerodynamic efficiency. The circuit’s long straights place enormous emphasis on minimising resistance, while the characteristics of the 2026 Power Units mean that managing electrical energy will also create significant challenges for both drivers and engineers.
Recharging the battery will not be straightforward around Monza, making it particularly important to reduce the amount of energy required to push the car through the air. Lower drag can therefore provide benefits not only in terms of outright top speed, but also in the way the Power Unit’s available energy is used over a lap.
Ferrari will run its ADUO-2 Power Unit specification, from which a performance increase of between 12 and 15 horsepower is expected. However, the engine is far from the only development fitted to the SF-26 for Ferrari’s home Grand Prix.
Ferrari modifies the floor, mirrors and rear brake ducts
The Maranello engineers have brought several small but targeted aerodynamic changes specifically designed to reduce drag. The SF-26 floor has been optimised with only one vertical element in its front section, reflecting Ferrari’s attempt to clean up the airflow and improve overall efficiency for Monza’s unique demands.
The rear-view mirrors have also been slimmed down as much as possible. Although mirrors are relatively small components, every exposed surface contributes to aerodynamic resistance, making even minor refinements relevant on a circuit where straight-line efficiency is so important.
Ferrari has also removed the winglets from the rear brake ducts. The decision is consistent with the team’s broader effort to unload aerodynamic elements that would otherwise generate unnecessary resistance on Monza’s prolonged full-throttle sections.
This philosophy mirrors other work carried out on the car ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, including Ferrari’s SF-26 FTM modification designed to reduce drag while retaining as much useful aerodynamic performance as possible.
Rear-wing detail trimmed as Ferrari searches for maximum Monza speed
Another change concerns the rear-wing assembly. Ferrari has trimmed the central element of the rear-wing winglet, further reducing the aerodynamic load generated by the package and therefore lowering resistance along Monza’s straights.
The collection of changes shows how Ferrari’s approach to the Italian Grand Prix goes beyond simply increasing engine power. The ADUO-2 development may provide additional horsepower, but extracting the maximum benefit from it also requires the SF-26 to move through the air as efficiently as possible.
That balance between Power Unit performance and aerodynamic efficiency is especially important under the 2026 regulations, with Ferrari needing to manage deployment carefully while still maximising speed through Monza’s low-downforce layout. The team’s broader Italian GP package has already been assessed by Charles Leclerc following Ferrari’s engine and floor developments.
ADUO-2 is only one part of Ferrari’s Monza package
The SF-26 that Ferrari is running at Monza is therefore the result of several complementary changes rather than one headline upgrade. The new ADUO-2 Power Unit is expected to deliver the most obvious performance gain, but the revised floor, slimmer mirrors, removal of the rear brake duct winglets and trimmed rear-wing element have all been designed around the same objective: reducing drag as much as possible.
At the Temple of Speed, where efficiency can translate directly into both straight-line performance and more effective energy use, Ferrari’s technical package reflects an extreme focus on extracting every possible advantage from the SF-26 during its home Grand Prix.
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