Scuderia Ferrari is back on track at Monza to evaluate the first major upgrade package on the SF-26, with Charles Leclerc set to be the first to drive the red car around the Brianza circuit. The team will complete a 200 km filming day featuring several new developments, an estimated performance gain, and a structured testing programme for the day.
This marks Ferrari’s first filming day of the season, as only a brief 15 km shakedown was carried out in Fiorano during the car’s launch event. The Maranello-based team now needs to understand whether the development direction taken so far is the right one. Naturally, due to the commercial filming nature of the session, the time available for proper “testing” will be limited, but it still represents an important opportunity to gather valuable data ahead of Miami.
The package introduced at Monza can be described as a “one-and-a-half upgrade” solution, as it also includes elements originally intended for the cancelled Bahrain round.
A SF-26 targeting the front, but rivals are also pushing hard
As reported by AutoRacer.it, the car that will hit the Monza track today, first with Charles Leclerc and later with Lewis Hamilton, features several new components. First and foremost, a new floor specification will be introduced, with multiple modifications applied.
The SF-26 will not change in overall shape, but a revised engine cover will be tested to improve cooling efficiency and allow the power unit to “breathe” better if required. The FTM winglet positioned in front of the exhaust—recently the subject of speculation—will also be further developed.
The winglets that appeared in China on the halo will also return, this time manufactured in carbon laminate and therefore fully compliant with FIA regulations. A weight reduction is also expected, with Ferrari aiming for an underweight condition that could translate into a gain of around one-tenth of a second.
Further updates include a completely new front wing, unchanged only in its central section. Changes affect the movable flaps, endplates, and main profile. The front wheel corner geometry has also been revised, along with various hydraulic improvements focused on weight reduction and efficiency.
The updated “Macarena” rear wing will also be present in its latest version, potentially delivering up to 10 km/h of extra top speed without the drawbacks seen in China or Australia. This could become a key performance weapon.
New energy recovery modes will also be tested, in line with updated regulatory guidelines. Tomorrow, both Leclerc and Hamilton will continue the work in the Maranello simulator to validate and refine the collected data. Overall, the expected performance gain could reach up to half a second.
According to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull are also preparing updates for Miami, confirming that the championship development race is already in full swing.
It will be a long season, and today represents a crucial day for Ferrari. Capturing images will be extremely difficult, as the filming day is being held behind very strict closed doors, with Ferrari keen to avoid revealing technical details or giving any clues to rivals. Fans will therefore have to wait for official team channels to see the SF-26 in action.
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