Ferrari prepares major Spa upgrade, but changing weather could force a late rethink
Ferrari heads into the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix encouraged by its breakthrough performance at Silverstone, where the Scuderia unexpectedly challenged Mercedes for victory. However, despite arriving at Spa-Francorchamps with one of its most ambitious technical packages of the season, the team could be forced into a last-minute compromise if the Belgian weather turns wet.
Following months of searching for straight-line performance, Ferrari appears to have found encouraging solutions for the SF-26. The package introduced at Silverstone significantly reduced the team’s top-speed disadvantage, while further aerodynamic refinements are scheduled to debut at Spa in an effort to close the remaining gap to Mercedes.
The momentum generated by Charles Leclerc‘s victory at Silverstone has also boosted confidence inside Maranello. Expectations before the British Grand Prix had been modest, particularly after Ferrari lost around 20 km/h to Mercedes during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. Instead, Lewis Hamilton secured Sprint pole position, Charles Leclerc converted strong race pace into victory, and Ferrari celebrated a double podium that exceeded internal forecasts.
Ferrari targets higher top speed with revised aerodynamic package
One of Ferrari’s primary objectives for the Belgian Grand Prix is to maximize efficiency on Spa’s long full-throttle sections. Engineers are expected to introduce a revised version of the much-discussed “Macarena” rear wing, a concept that has attracted attention throughout the paddock after the FIA began examining similar flexible wing solutions following Max Verstappen’s incidents in Austria and Silverstone.
Ferrari remains confident that its own interpretation fully complies with the technical regulations and believes the latest design can deliver additional straight-line performance without sacrificing overall aerodynamic stability.
Alongside the updated rear wing, Ferrari also plans to remove its STM blown-exhaust system for the Spa weekend. The system, designed to direct hot exhaust gases toward the diffuser area to improve aerodynamic performance, has been under close technical scrutiny as Formula 1 moves toward revised regulations in 2027.
Development work has already been carried out extensively behind the scenes. Ferrari junior driver Dino Beganovic completed valuable testing of the configuration during running in Austria, allowing engineers to gather significant data before introducing the specification during a Grand Prix weekend.
The objective is straightforward: by eliminating the STM configuration, the Italian side expects to reduce rear aerodynamic drag, lower overall downforce and unlock additional top speed—an important advantage around the long Kemmel Straight and the flat-out sections that define Spa-Francorchamps.
Spa’s unpredictable weather could complicate Ferrari’s plans
Despite the optimism surrounding the latest upgrades, one factor remains completely outside Ferrari’s control: the weather.
Spa-Francorchamps has earned a reputation as one of Formula 1’s most unpredictable venues, with dry and wet conditions often appearing in different sectors of the circuit within minutes. Current forecasts indicate that rain remains a realistic possibility during Sunday’s race, creating uncertainty for every team on the grid.
If wet conditions become likely, Maranello engineers may ultimately decide that maximizing straight-line speed is no longer the priority. Instead, the team could reportedly opt for a higher-downforce specification through a late setup adjustment to the SF-26, prioritizing stability and grip over outright speed.
Such a decision would inevitably reduce some of the expected gains from Ferrari’s latest aerodynamic developments, particularly on Spa’s long straights where every kilometer per hour can make a significant difference.
Ferrari hopes to build on Silverstone momentum
Inside Maranello, the current upgrade package is regarded as the team’s most significant aerodynamic step of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. After demonstrating encouraging progress at Silverstone, Ferrari believes it finally has the tools to consistently challenge Mercedes on circuits that previously exposed its weaknesses in top-speed performance.
Whether those gains can be fully exploited at Spa, however, may depend less on engineering and more on the Belgian skies. If dry conditions prevail, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc could benefit from Ferrari’s most aggressive low-drag configuration yet. Should rain arrive, the Scuderia may instead be forced into a conservative setup choice, potentially sacrificing part of the performance advantage it has worked so hard to achieve.
Leave a Reply