Ferrari faces a crucial test at Suzuka
The Maranello-based team finds itself facing an important examination. For Ferrari, Suzuka represents a crucial test, particularly when it comes to managing electrical energy deployment. During the opening sixty minutes of track action, the Macarena wing was not seen, despite earlier discussions suggesting a possible debut. It was a learning session that is expected to prove extremely valuable for the team as they look to improve over the remainder of the race weekend.
Ferrari evaluates Suzuka: early signs positive for the SF-26
The two Ferrari cars took to the track for their initial run. Both SF-26 machines were fitted with a set of white-banded Pirelli tyres, compounds useful for working on the baseline setup. In this early phase, the drivers completed a continuous stint without lifting significantly. A key focus was placed on studying hybrid energy usage, balancing harvesting and deployment to assess the effectiveness of the initial configurations.
Overall, the Ferrari drivers completed around four laps before allowing the tyres to cool. The handling appeared relatively clean, although it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions. This is especially true considering that, at this stage, engine mappings remained very conservative, with the primary focus solely on achieving optimal car balance. After a cool-down lap, work on the Italian single-seater resumed.
Track engineers began collecting initial feedback from the drivers. There was cautious optimism regarding the setup, although both Lewis and Charles agreed that there was still room for improvement. Attention then shifted to more detailed aspects of handling, with several suggestions related to differential management mid-corner to enhance rotation. A similar approach was taken under braking, where further checks on various settings continued.
After another four laps, Charles was called back into the pits. Lewis, meanwhile, remained on track, with Carlo Santi guiding him corner by corner, indicating areas where the British driver needed to improve compared to his teammate. After a cooling lap, he pushed again: lap times did not improve, but the former Mercedes driver reported that he had gained a clearer understanding of how to manage the Ferrari in the next run.
A quick pass through the pit lane followed, including practice starts, before returning to the track to finalize the last details of this initial run. It was effectively a first taste of Suzuka, aimed at broadly defining the setup direction and understanding the deployment of the MGU-K motor generator unit throughout the lap—an element that will be central during this third race weekend of the season and could make a decisive difference if used effectively.
SF-26: difficult handling with red-banded Pirelli tyres
After a short break, the two Ferrari cars returned to the Japanese circuit. This time, they were running on Soft tyres and, judging by the engine note, the power unit configurations appeared slightly more aggressive. Charles was the first to head out and, during his first flying lap, some instability became evident through the high-speed “snake” section in the first sector.
Minor errors forced him to lift off the throttle. It remained unclear whether the issue was purely related to car balance or if the tyres had not yet reached the correct operating window. The Monegasque driver allowed the tyres to cool before attempting another push lap. This time, the racing lines looked cleaner through the opening section of the Japanese track.
However, in sector two, Charles carried too much speed through turns 13 and 14, running wide and once again being forced to lift. Lewis, on the other hand, delivered a more cautious lap, gaining two tenths on his teammate. His lap was not perfect either, showing a tendency toward over-rotation in certain corners. Shortly afterwards, Charles went again but made another mistake.
In sector one, he lost the rear in turn four, requiring a significant correction to stay on track. There is little doubt that the new asphalt is not helping Ferrari at this stage, as the drivers have yet to piece together a clean lap on the red-banded Pirelli tyres. The drivers discussed setup adjustments, suggesting that changes may be required, although it remains crucial not to be overly influenced by track conditions.
Setup work must instead be based on the inherent characteristics of the car rather than the grip level available at any given moment. In the following laps, a certain level of instability continued to affect the Ferrari cars. At this stage, the Italian machines were not performing as expected, further complicated by traffic, which significantly disrupted Charles Leclerc’s second run.
Setup changes required ahead of FP2
The second pit stop lasted only a few minutes before the team returned to the track for a final test with the SF-26. Charles was the first to go out, using the same set of Soft tyres from the previous run. Shortly after, Lewis followed, also leaving the pit lane on red-banded tyres. For this final phase, the team opted for a short long-run simulation with a higher fuel load.
With more fuel onboard, both SF-26 cars appeared more stable, also due to lower cornering speeds. Overall, the Ferrari drivers completed five laps with Charles and four with Lewis. It is difficult to draw meaningful lap time comparisons in high-fuel conditions, especially given the still-imperfect balance and the continuously evolving grip levels of the track.
This first Ferrari test session will undoubtedly prove useful, particularly in improving the handling of the cars, which posed challenges for both drivers during the opening practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix. The focus now shifts to telemetry analysis, with the aim of making targeted setup changes and delivering a necessary step forward in performance ahead of FP2.
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