In the first free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix, both Ferrari cars encountered significant difficulties in finding stability on track. The Ferrari SF-26 proved somewhat unpredictable, particularly when running on the Soft tire compound, which is the fastest but also most temperamental tire option available for this weekend. This unpredictability made the handling of the car quite complicated and demanding for both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. This instability represented a challenge that the Maranello team’s engineers and technicians needed to address carefully in order to optimize the overall performance of the car. It is also important to note that the track surface at the Suzuka Circuit was still relatively “green,” meaning it had limited rubber laid down, which made grip levels inconsistent and more difficult to manage. The evolution of the asphalt throughout the session was significant, as more rubber on the racing line gradually improved traction, but the first impression was that Ferrari had work to do. The key question for the Scuderia was whether they would be able to make a noticeable step forward in car performance between FP1 and the second free practice session.
So let’s take a detailed look at how events unfolded for the Italian side in the second practice session at Suzuka.
Ferrari shows an improved setup on Medium tires
For FP2, Lewis Hamilton was the first driver to head out onto the circuit with the Medium tire compound, a tire option that had not been used at all in the initial FP1 session. His teammate followed just five minutes later with the same Medium tires. From the very first laps, it was apparent that a significant effort was required to bring the tires up to their optimal operating temperature. Proper tire activation is essential not only to achieve the correct level of mechanical grip but also to unlock the car’s full performance potential, particularly in fast and medium-speed corners.
On these Medium compounds, the previously observed instability issues appeared considerably reduced. It was clear that the harder tires suited the SF-26 better than the Soft tires in terms of stability and predictability. Additionally, the setup changes implemented by the Ferrari engineering team appeared to have a meaningful effect. According to information obtained from our team sources at Maranello, Ferrari had made careful adjustments to the suspension system, fine-tuning the geometry and compliance to improve mechanical balance. At the same time, modifications had been made to the car’s aerodynamic configuration, including adjustments to the angle of the front and rear wings, in order to achieve a more balanced overall package that could provide more consistent grip throughout the corners.
For the moment, these modifications seemed to be effective. Over successive laps, Lewis Hamilton was able to improve his lap times and demonstrate the potential of the SF-26 on Medium tires, while Charles Leclerc initially struggled to find the optimal rhythm. The Monegasque driver, aware of the situation, focused his efforts and gradually managed to put together clean laps across all three sectors of the Suzuka Circuit. This allowed him to climb the timing sheets and temporarily take the top position in FP2. Ferrari’s performance engineer acknowledged the progress but also indicated that further improvements were necessary, particularly in corners three and eleven, where the car still lacked smoothness and balance.
Better but still nervous on Softs: SF-26 remains tricky
After a brief stop in the pit lane to review the telemetry data, both Ferrari SF-26 cars returned to track with the Soft Pirelli tires. This session was considered crucial to understand whether the extra mechanical grip provided by the Soft tires could help the SF-26 maintain a more neutral balance and allow Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to better manage the car through fast, medium, and slow-speed corners.
The Suzuka Circuit is known for its challenging sequences, especially the “snake” section, which requires precision and confidence from the driver. While the car is generally strong in this area, the first runs on Soft tires proved difficult, particularly for Charles Leclerc. He experienced a significant snap oversteer at corner five, part of the snake sequence, and narrowly avoided a spin. Lewis Hamilton appeared to handle the situation more smoothly, but even he showed some minor uncertainties when negotiating the complex series of turns. A short time later, Charles Leclerc attempted another lap and this time produced much cleaner lines, suggesting that he was gradually adapting to the tires’ behavior.
The engineers instructed Charles Leclerc to focus on improving his performance relative to his teammate in corners sixteen and seventeen, while Lewis Hamilton’s radio communications centered on improving entry speed and consistency in turn seven to achieve a more effective overall line through that section. Over the next laps, both drivers alternated between “push” laps, where they aimed to extract maximum performance, and cooldown laps, allowing the tires to stabilize and preventing excessive overheating.
The SF-26 demonstrated better overall behavior compared to FP1, showing improvements in predictability and cornering balance. However, both cars remained somewhat nervous mid-corner, requiring continuous micro-corrections from both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. This aspect highlighted that while progress had been made, the feedback from the drivers was not entirely positive, as they had to concentrate intensely to avoid errors. For the next run, Ferrari planned adjustments to the front axle load in an effort to refine balance and reduce twitchiness.
Charles Leclerc opted for a two-degree reduction in front wing angle, whereas his Maranello teammate chose only a one-degree reduction. These adjustments were carried out during a quick pit lane stop without the need to change tires. The session continued with both drivers performing detailed testing to explore the car’s limits, as Ferrari sought to define the ideal boundaries of the setup. The results were encouraging, but not perfect, and both drivers returned to the garage to prepare for the final set of runs in FP2.
Ferrari still trying to understand the SF-26
For the final appearance of the SF-26 cars in FP2, Ferrari ran high-fuel simulations, keeping both cars on Medium tires. This decision reflected the team’s strategy of consistency and allowed both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to focus on car behavior under race-like conditions. With a higher fuel load, the SF-26 appeared to stabilize more effectively, similar to the conditions observed in FP1. These high-fuel runs lasted approximately six to seven laps, giving the team valuable data on tire wear, balance, and overall handling in longer stints.
Within this context, a certain lack of rotation was observed, likely related to the setup and tire behavior under heavier loads. Lewis Hamilton himself indicated this issue via radio communications, confirming that the car did not yet have the full level of rotational agility he desired. At this stage, it remained challenging to assess true race pace due to the numerous variables involved, including fuel load, tire degradation, and track evolution. Nonetheless, the scenario reflected patterns that have been seen throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season so far, highlighting Ferrari’s ongoing struggle to fully exploit the SF-26’s potential.
Mercedes recorded faster individual lap times, but when considering average pace across multiple laps, both Ferrari SF-26 cars were slightly faster than the McLaren cars driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Max Verstappen also demonstrated competitive pace, closely matching the lap times of the Ferrari drivers during his own runs.
Overall, the SF-26 still appeared immature and not entirely capable of fully utilizing all of its available performance potential. While the improvements made from FP1 to FP2 were evident, further refinement is clearly required. Ferrari will need to continue analyzing tire behavior, aerodynamic balance, and suspension settings to achieve a more consistent performance envelope. The steps forward observed in FP2, though encouraging, are not yet sufficient for Ferrari to challenge at the very front of the grid in terms of race pace and overall competitiveness. The team’s engineers and drivers still have significant work to do to unlock the true potential of the SF-26 and bring it closer to the level required to fight consistently for podiums and victories in the 2026 Formula 1 championship.
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