Ferrari arrives in Florida with a series of updates and with an advantage linked to the reduction of hybrid energy introduced by the FIA. However, Formula 1 in the 2026 season is anything but straightforward, and the Maranello-based team will need to be extremely precise and efficient in extracting the maximum performance from the changes made to the SF-26. The same level of precision will also be required in terms of setup work, especially considering there will be only one free practice session available before Sprint Qualifying, a format that significantly reduces preparation time compared to a traditional Grand Prix weekend.
SF-26 in Miami: the goal is to reduce the gap to Mercedes while waiting for the ADUO
More than ever this season, development on the new-generation cars is proving to be a decisive factor in performance. The Ferrari engineers’ first major aerodynamic and mechanical upgrade package of this phase of the championship will debut in Miami this weekend, a circuit that traditionally mixes high-speed straights with very technical sections. As already analysed in recent days, the front wing, bargeboards, diffuser, floor and rear wing of the SF-26 have all been revised and optimised. Even the FTM exhaust system appears to have undergone small but meaningful adjustments in its angle of incidence, aimed at improving overall flow conditioning.
The combination of these updates should contribute to an improvement in aerodynamic efficiency. The reasoning behind this is relatively straightforward from a technical perspective: in terms of cornering performance and mid-speed stability, the SF-26 is already considered one of the reference points on the current grid. However, when it comes to outright straight-line speed and drag efficiency, the comparison with Mercedes-powered cars remains particularly demanding. This is especially relevant on a track like Miami, where long acceleration zones amplify any inefficiency in drag reduction.
First of all, it is important to reiterate a key concept in order to avoid creating unrealistic expectations among fans and observers. As highlighted in recent weeks by technical analysis teams, the upgrade package introduced in Florida will not completely resolve Ferrari’s existing limitations. Instead, the objective of the engineers and technicians working in Maranello is clearly focused on mitigation rather than total elimination of the issues. Improving the SF-26’s aerodynamic efficiency essentially means reducing wasted energy against aerodynamic resistance, which is a critical performance factor in modern Formula 1.
This improvement translates into a significantly wider operating window for energy management over a single lap, which in practical terms allows drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to deploy hybrid energy more strategically throughout qualifying simulations and race stints. This aspect should not be underestimated, as even small gains in energy deployment efficiency can have a noticeable impact over the course of a lap, particularly in sectors with repeated acceleration phases.
In addition, the new FIA regulations introduce another important variable, as they reduce the usable energy per lap down to 7 megajoules. This regulatory adjustment is expected to reduce the super clipping phenomenon observed during the first three races of the season, a situation where teams struggle to deploy energy effectively at high speed due to system limitations. Naturally, this change will also address part of the limitation previously observed on the Italian car during the opening rounds of the championship, where Ferrari appeared to lose competitiveness in specific high-speed sections.
However, as already mentioned in previous technical assessments, only with the introduction of the upcoming power unit upgrade will it be possible to provide a more definitive and complete evaluation of Ferrari’s true performance potential. The team is therefore targeting the ADUO milestone, with internal projections suggesting a performance threshold in the region of approximately 2 percent improvement. What remains to be fully understood is how the engineers will manage to extract this gain from the internal combustion engine, hybrid system and overall energy recovery optimisation, all of which require extremely fine calibration in modern Formula 1 power units.
Ferrari: hope placed on the Macarena rear wing
Another important technical element concerns the Monza testing session, which appears to have finally validated the updated rear wing configuration, commonly referred to as the Macarena rear wing. This aerodynamic solution could play a decisive role at circuits like Miami, where overall efficiency and drag reduction carry a particularly high strategic value. Ferrari’s concept, which has recently attracted interest and partial technical inspiration from Red Bull, is designed to reduce the aerodynamic load generated by the floor and diffuser interaction.
The main objective of this approach is to reduce induced drag on long straights, thereby improving top speed without compromising too much in cornering stability. From a strategic point of view, this update could further help Maranello reduce the performance gap to Mercedes, or at the very least significantly narrow it. Even a partial reduction of this gap would represent a meaningful step forward in the context of the current championship battle. At the same time, it is expected that Mercedes will not remain passive and will likely introduce its own set of updates in Miami, aiming to preserve its current competitive advantage over both Ferrari and other rivals.
Miami GP: the mistake Ferrari must avoid
However, overall race performance will not depend solely on these macro-level aerodynamic and regulatory factors. The traditional challenges of Formula 1 must always be taken into account, especially those linked to circuit layout and operational execution. The Miami track features a combination of long high-speed sections, heavy braking zones, and multiple medium-speed corner sequences where direction changes are frequent and tyre management becomes critical.
Tire behaviour will once again be a central factor throughout the Florida weekend. The asphalt surface in Miami is not particularly aggressive on tyres, and thermal degradation levels are generally considered moderate compared to other circuits on the calendar. However, Pirelli has opted for its softest compound range for this event, which introduces an additional layer of complexity. If track temperatures rise unexpectedly, teams may face significant challenges in controlling overheating, which could directly affect both race pace and qualifying performance.
If Ferrari’s updates perform as expected, the overall setup window should become wider and more flexible, allowing engineers to explore a broader range of aerodynamic and mechanical configurations. Nevertheless, it will ultimately be up to the team to identify the correct balance between downforce, drag, tyre management and energy deployment. This process is particularly complex in a Sprint weekend format, where limited practice time significantly reduces the opportunity for iterative setup refinement.
This remains a recurring challenge in modern Formula 1, and it is far from being a straightforward task. A misjudgment in setup direction is always a possibility, and selecting an incorrect baseline after only one free practice session, even if extended to 90 minutes, can compromise the entire competitive weekend. Under these conditions, the importance of marginal gains becomes even more pronounced. Every small improvement in aerodynamics, energy efficiency, tyre usage or driver execution can collectively define the outcome of the weekend.
Ferrari’s objective in Miami is therefore to begin a controlled and structured process of closing the gap to Mercedes, using the SF-26’s updated aerodynamic package, improved efficiency concepts, and evolving regulatory framework as stepping stones. Whether this will be sufficient to challenge the Silver Arrows immediately remains uncertain, but the direction of development is clearly focused on gradual and sustained performance recovery across the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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