Thanks to the upgrades introduced in Barcelona, Ferrari’s SF-26 took a significant step forward, gaining an estimated three-tenths of a second in race pace. However, the Scuderia’s progress was not limited to the visible aerodynamic developments. Behind the scenes, Ferrari also introduced a series of less obvious technical innovations, including a solution developed by Technical Director Loic Serra that may have played an important role in securing victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.
According to information reported by Giuliano Duchessa in the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, the SF-26 now offers a much better balance for both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. In Spain, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion used the same setup as his teammate despite having less time to adapt, as he was not in the car during the first free practice session.
The car appears to have a particularly wide setup window, making it easier for both drivers to extract performance. At the Barcelona weekend, several factors came together: a more stable car, a better understanding of the hybrid system in high temperatures, and operating conditions that highlighted Ferrari’s strengths.
The result is a technical package capable of satisfying both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, built around what many inside the paddock consider one of the strongest chassis currently on the Formula 1 grid. With Ferrari targeting the championship, this is undoubtedly encouraging news for the remainder of the season.
Yet the British driver’s recent progress cannot be explained solely by aerodynamic upgrades and improved balance. Several hidden innovations introduced by Loic Serra have also contributed to the team’s step forward.
Ferrari introduces new wheel rims: the benefits revealed
According to reports from AutoRacer.it, one of the secrets behind the SF-26’s success lies in its ability to generate high levels of aerodynamic load while reducing wheelspin and improving tyre management.
The Barcelona upgrade package did not consist only of the new front wing, revised floor, and updated diffuser. There were also important developments hidden from public view. While the bodywork changes delivered gains in aerodynamic efficiency, Loic Serra also introduced an update to the wheel rims that helped reduce tyre overheating.
Additional confirmation of this development was later reported by Motorsport.com Italia. The new wheel rim design has reportedly improved pressure stabilization inside the tyres, helping reduce degradation and extend the effectiveness of the compounds during longer stints.
Ferrari introduced new rear-wheel components supplied by BBS Japan. Since this season, FIA regulations have allowed teams greater freedom in this specific area of wheel design, creating opportunities for further performance gains.
As a result, every team has been investing considerable effort into refining this area, focusing on stiffness, weight reduction, and thermal management capabilities.
Ferrari’s engineers have managed to better isolate the heat generated by the braking system, preventing excessive temperatures from being transferred to the wheel assembly and ultimately affecting tyre performance.
The role of Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari power delivery
According to the Italian website AutoRacer.it, another important factor behind Lewis Hamilton’s Barcelona victory was his growing understanding of how to use the Ferrari power unit, particularly during throttle application and lift-off phases.
The two days of testing carried out at Fiorano reportedly proved extremely valuable for the British driver, helping him better manage energy deployment throughout different sections of a lap.
In recent races, Lewis Hamilton has been able to significantly reduce rear-wheel wheelspin while using the available electrical energy more effectively through corners. This improved efficiency has allowed him to maximize traction and tyre life, two key elements during race conditions.
Loic Serra’s attention to detail pays off
Returning to the wheel rim development, Ferrari engineers carried out extensive work in collaboration with BBS Japan to create a highly sophisticated solution.
According to technical reports, the new design is capable of creating “a pocket of cool air between the two carbon walls through a specially designed ventilation system, featuring air inlets that are completely separate from those used to cool the brake discs and calipers. Meanwhile, the wheel suppliers refined the forged magnesium components with a design that dissipates heat while preventing excessive temperature transfer to the tyre.”
Ferrari now reportedly has two distinct wheel-rim solutions available. One version is designed to help bring tyres up to temperature more quickly when conditions make warm-up difficult. The second solution is optimized for hotter races, where controlling degradation becomes the priority.
The influence of Loic Serra, who was also credited with developing Mercedes’ famous perforated wheel-rim concept back in 2018, can be seen in these fine technical details. While many factors contributed to Ferrari’s success in Barcelona, the French engineer’s expertise in this area appears to have provided another valuable advantage.
Of course, the achievement is the result of a collective effort across the entire Ferrari team, with every department playing its part in helping the SF-26 take a major step forward in performance.
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