Ferrari’s strongest response came where the SF-26 was expected to struggle most. Why Budapest and Zandvoort could suit Ferrari’s SF-26 better.

Ferrari’s SF-26 performance at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps defied the team’s expectations. Both rounds had been circled in red on the calendar since the beginning of the season because they were considered two of the most difficult circuits for energy management—an even greater concern for Ferrari given the now well-known power unit deficit it is carrying compared with the leading teams.

Yet Ferrari surprised everyone, including itself, across the British and Belgian Grand Prix weekends. The Maranello team secured two podium finishes as well as a victory with Charles Leclerc, limiting the gap at the two venues expected to expose the SF-26’s weaknesses most severely.

Ferrari SF-26 performance exceeds expectations at Silverstone and Spa

Ferrari first surpassed expectations in Britain, despite the added complication of the Sprint format, before producing another competitive weekend in the Ardennes. The Scuderia managed to contain its deficit at two circuits that had appeared among the most challenging on the calendar before the events began.

The results reflected the progress behind Ferrari’s SF-26 transformation at Silverstone and Spa. The preparation completed back at the factory also proved decisive, confirming what has now become an encouraging trend for the team.

Ferrari’s work away from the circuit is helping it arrive at race weekends better prepared to manage the car’s limitations. Although Spa still left the team with some regrets, the wider picture from the Belgian Grand Prix offered genuine encouragement.

The run-up to Monza could help Ferrari

Ferrari is now looking towards the next rounds on either side of the summer break, fully aware that the layouts of Budapest and Zandvoort should—although the conditional remains essential—suit the SF-26’s characteristics considerably better.

Those circuits could limit the time Ferrari loses through its power unit deficit while highlighting the car’s aerodynamic strengths. In particular, the SF-26’s strengths could prove valuable at the Hungaroring, giving Ferrari an opportunity to build momentum before Monza.

However, there is an important warning. Monaco showed that results depend not only on the car’s underlying potential, but also—and above all—on the team’s execution throughout the weekend. Ferrari therefore knows it cannot allow optimism ahead of Hungary to affect its preparation. Even if the circuit appears favourable on paper, the team will still need to execute every part of the weekend properly.