The FIA has published its summary of all the technical upgrades declared by Formula 1 teams for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. At Monza, 10 teams have introduced changes comprising 26 individual updates, while Audi is the only constructor arriving without any new components.
The unique demands of the “Temple of Speed” are immediately apparent in the teams’ technical choices. With active aerodynamics now part of the 2026 Formula 1 cars, preparing specifically for Monza is no longer simply a matter of fitting extremely low-downforce wings. Several teams have instead altered their Straight Mode configurations, removed smaller aerodynamic elements or reduced local load to improve the relationship between downforce and drag on the circuit’s exceptionally long straights.
Haas has brought the most extensive package from a development perspective, introducing a new floor alongside revised sidepods, coke-line, engine cover and rear-end components designed to work together as a single aerodynamic system. Ferrari and Red Bull have declared the highest number of individual changes, with four each, but their philosophies are notably different. Maranello has focused every modification on circuit-specific drag reduction, while Red Bull has combined aerodynamic performance developments with reliability measures.
Ferrari’s approach fits the particular efficiency demands of Monza, where the team has already focused significant attention on reducing drag and improving the efficiency of the SF-26.
McLaren has also taken an interesting route, changing the rear-wing flap position in Straight Line Mode and pairing it with a lower-loaded beam wing to increase drag reduction. Racing Bulls has followed a similar philosophy by increasing flap travel in Straight Mode, while Mercedes has removed winglets from its rear wing and shortened the mirror stays.
Williams has introduced three circuit-specific solutions affecting the Halo, front wing and floor. Alpine combines a performance modification to the front-wing endplate with a drag-reduction change at the rear wing. Aston Martin, Cadillac and some of Red Bull’s developments take another direction, seeking additional local load and improved flow management even at a circuit where aerodynamic efficiency remains the dominant parameter.
Here is the complete breakdown of the official upgrades introduced for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
McLaren Monza upgrades
McLaren has concentrated primarily on aerodynamic efficiency. The rear wing adopts an alternative Straight Line Mode configuration combined with a lower-loaded beam wing to achieve a larger reduction in drag. The Floor Furniture has also been revised to improve airflow quality while simultaneously reducing aerodynamic resistance.
- Rear Wing
Primary reason: Performance – drag reduction.
Change: Alternative flap position in Straight Line Mode and revised beam wing.
Description: McLaren’s high-isochronal rear wing has been modified so that the flap moves to an alternative position in Straight Line Mode. Combined with a less-loaded beam wing, the configuration produces a greater reduction in aerodynamic drag. - Floor Furniture
Primary reason: Performance – flow conditioning.
Change: Updated Floor Furniture.
Description: A small revision to the aerodynamic elements around the floor improves flow conditioning, increasing the floor’s aerodynamic performance while also reducing drag.
Mercedes Monza upgrades
Mercedes has brought two circuit-specific modifications aimed at lowering aerodynamic resistance. Several winglet devices have been removed from the rear wing, while the rear mirror stays have been shortened at the front of the car. Both changes reduce local load and drag to adapt the car to Monza’s extremely high speeds.
- Rear Wing
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: Several winglet devices removed from the rear wing.
Description: Removing the rear-wing winglets reduces the overall camber of the assembly, shedding local downforce and aerodynamic drag at a ratio considered suitable for Monza’s efficiency requirements. - Front Bodywork
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: Shortened rear mirror stays.
Description: Trimming the mirror supports reduces local camber and aerodynamic loading, consequently lowering both downforce and drag in a proportion suited to the characteristics of Monza.
Red Bull combines performance and reliability changes
Red Bull has declared four updates, split between reliability requirements and aerodynamic performance. Changes to the Rear Corner and Exhaust Tailpipe are primarily aimed at robustness and correct airflow management, while the Floor Body and Front Wing will be evaluated with the intention of generating greater local load and improving aerodynamic stability.
- Rear Corner
Primary reason: Reliability.
Change: Revised gaiter between the rear suspension and wheel bodywork.
Description: To improve the reliability of the rear wheel-bodywork assembly, the gaiter that provides the aerodynamic seal has been modified to reduce the likelihood of separating from the suspension wishbone. The junctions with the winglets have also been removed. - Floor Body
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: Revised bib edge profile.
Description: Red Bull will evaluate an alternative geometry at Monza. The revised edge profile changes the airflow with the aim of generating more local load and improving aerodynamic stability. - Exhaust Tailpipe
Primary reason: Reliability.
Change: Revised exhaust tailpipe bracket.
Description: To allow the Power Unit to operate reliably under Monza’s particular demands, the exhaust tailpipe bracket has been trimmed to reduce its obstruction to the airflow. - Front Wing
Primary reason: Flow conditioning.
Change: Revised endplate vane profile.
Description: A trimmed front-wing endplate dive-plane will be evaluated at Monza with the objective of improving the load generated further downstream by the floor.
Ferrari brings four low-drag SF-26 changes for Monza
Ferrari has introduced a four-part package at Monza, with every change specifically aimed at reducing aerodynamic resistance. The revisions affect the Floor Board, mirror support, rear brake area and RV Tail. Ferrari accepts a reduction in aerodynamic load in exchange for a more favourable downforce-to-drag ratio for the exceptionally fast Italian circuit.
The philosophy is closely aligned with the wider work being carried out on the overall efficiency of the Ferrari SF-26 at Monza, where aerodynamic resistance and the ability to maximise performance along the straights are particularly significant.
- Floor Board
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: Optimised front Floor Board elements with a single vertical element.
Description: Considered as part of a complete package, the modifications are designed primarily to adapt the SF-26 to Monza’s specific characteristics and aerodynamic-efficiency requirements. Every intervention targets lower aerodynamic drag. The natural consequence is reduced downforce, but Ferrari considers the resulting ratio favourable for this circuit. - Mirror Stay
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: Shorter vertical mirror stay and revised connection to the sidepod.
Description: As with the rest of the package, the objective is to reduce resistance while accepting a corresponding reduction in downforce at a ratio considered advantageous for Monza. - Rear Corner
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: Removal of the rear brake-duct winglet cascade.
Description: Removing these elements forms part of Ferrari’s coordinated attempt to lower drag and optimise the SF-26 for Monza’s high-speed layout. - RV Tail
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: Slotted central winglet element and trimmed side winglets.
Description: The revised tail configuration follows the same philosophy as the other three modifications, sacrificing some aerodynamic load in return for a more favourable efficiency level on the long straights.
These changes form part of Ferrari’s broader technical push for its home race, alongside the development work already assessed ahead of the weekend on the SF-26 engine and floor package for the Italian Grand Prix.
Williams introduces Halo, front-wing and floor changes
Williams has brought three circuit-specific modifications. The changes to the Halo and Floor Body focus mainly on aerodynamic efficiency and drag reduction, while the front wing has been adapted to provide the correct balance for the Temple of Speed.
- Halo
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: A vertical fence has been introduced around the Halo geometry.
Description: Williams has altered the local pressure distribution around the driver’s cockpit. This changes the downstream airflow field in a way intended to improve the efficiency levels required specifically at Monza. - Front Wing
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – balance range.
Change: Reduced chord on the front-wing elements.
Description: The rearmost element of the front-wing assembly has been modified to meet the balance requirements of the Monza circuit. - Floor Body
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: Local trim applied to the Floor Board geometry.
Description: This is another circuit-specific modification that alters the compromise between downforce and drag at the front of the main floor.
Racing Bulls increases Straight Mode flap travel
Racing Bulls has brought two changes to Monza. The main update concerns the rear wing, which has been adapted to the characteristics of the circuit by increasing the flap’s range of movement in Straight Mode and reducing resistance further on the long straights. The Exhaust Tailpipe has also been repositioned to improve the quality of the airflow reaching the floor and rear wing.
- Rear Wing
Primary reason: Circuit-specific – drag range.
Change: New assembly with an updated Straight Mode mechanism.
Description: The rear-wing modifications allow greater flap travel in Straight Mode, enabling a more efficient reduction in aerodynamic resistance suited to the characteristics of Monza. - Exhaust Tailpipe
Primary reason: Performance – flow conditioning.
Change: Repositioned tailpipe with a reprofiled bracket.
Description: The exhaust changes improve airflow management around the centreline of the car, helping the floor and rear wing operate more efficiently.
Aston Martin targets additional local load
Aston Martin has introduced two modifications aimed at improving local aerodynamic load. The front suspension receives revised fairings to better manage the incoming airflow, while the floor edge ahead of the rear tyre has been changed to feed the underside of the car more effectively and increase aerodynamic load.
- Front Suspension
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: Revised fairings for one of the front suspension members.
Description: The external fairing of one front suspension element has been modified to improve its alignment with the incoming airflow. - Floor Edge
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: Revised floor area ahead of the rear tyre.
Description: The geometry in front of the rear tyre has been modified to improve airflow towards the underside of the floor, increasing the aerodynamic load generated in this area.
Haas brings the biggest development package at Monza
Haas has introduced the most extensive package from a design perspective. It is built around an entirely new floor featuring revised lateral geometries and an updated diffuser. The development also extends to the bodywork and Rear Corner, which have been modified to work in conjunction with the new floor and improve airflow management, aerodynamic efficiency and downforce production.
- Floor
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: New front floor, new side geometry and revised diffuser.
Description: The update focuses on optimising the floor’s main expansion region and the associated lateral geometry in order to improve airflow behaviour throughout the floor. The revised design increases floor efficiency, producing an overall gain in aerodynamic performance and downforce generation. - Bodywork
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: New sidepods and coke-line, narrower roll-hoop and updated engine cover.
Description: The revised bodywork has been developed together with the new floor to maximise the aerodynamic benefit of the package. The geometry improves airflow management around the car while still providing the cooling performance required across all operating conditions. - Rear Corner
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: Realigned rear suspension fairings and repositioned drum deflectors.
Description: The aerodynamic changes introduced by the new floor and bodywork alter the airflow structures reaching the rear of the car. The rear suspension fairings have therefore been re-optimised and the drum deflectors realigned to suit those changes, improving local flow management and overall aerodynamic efficiency.
Audi brings no updates to the Italian GP
Audi has submitted no technical updates for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
Alpine modifies both ends of the car
Alpine has made changes at both the front and rear of its car. At the front, an element of the front-wing endplate has been revised to generate greater local load and improve airflow management. At the rear, a modification to the Straight Mode pod is designed to reduce aerodynamic resistance and adapt the car more effectively to Monza.
- Front Wing Endplate
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: Revised footplate vane profile.
Description: As part of Alpine’s front-wing development programme, the vane has been redesigned to increase local aerodynamic load and improve the airflow field in the affected area. - Rear Wing
Primary reason: Performance – drag reduction.
Change: Removal of the Straight Mode pod fairing.
Description: The Straight Mode pod on the launch-specification rear wing has been modified to better suit the low-drag characteristics of Monza.
Cadillac updates its floor and diffuser
Cadillac has introduced two changes concentrated around the floor and diffuser. A new forward Floor Board stay is intended to improve both airflow management and structural stability, while a new diffuser vane targets greater efficiency in the outer floor channels and additional aerodynamic load at the rear.
- Forward Floor Board Stay
Primary reason: Performance – flow conditioning.
Change: Revised stay position with a higher outboard attachment point.
Description: The geometry of the forward Floor Board stay has been modified to improve airflow conditioning towards the rear of the car, increase the structural stability of the component and improve overall aerodynamic load at the rear. - Diffuser Vane
Primary reason: Performance – local load.
Change: Additional vane on the inner trailing edge of the outer diffuser sidewall.
Description: A small vertical turning vane has been added to the inner trailing edge of the outboard diffuser sidewall. The change improves aerodynamic performance in the outer floor channels and increases load at the rear of the car.
Ferrari commits fully to drag reduction at Monza
The complete list of Italian Grand Prix upgrades highlights how differently the 2026 regulations allow teams to approach Monza. Active aerodynamics have reduced the need to rely exclusively on traditional ultra-low-downforce wing packages, opening the door to more targeted changes in Straight Mode operation, local aerodynamic loading and airflow conditioning.
Ferrari’s philosophy is especially clear: all four declared changes are aimed at reducing drag, even at the cost of some downforce, because Maranello believes the resulting efficiency trade-off is favourable for Monza. Red Bull, by contrast, has mixed reliability measures with components designed to improve local load and aerodynamic stability, while McLaren and Mercedes have also targeted reduced resistance through different solutions.
For Ferrari, the aerodynamic package is only one part of the technical challenge at its home Grand Prix. The Scuderia has also been working on its latest ADUO-2 Power Unit development for Monza, making overall efficiency one of the defining themes of the weekend.
The full picture will only become clear once the various solutions are assessed on track, but the FIA submissions already demonstrate the range of philosophies being pursued across the grid. For further coverage of the SF-26 and Ferrari’s development programme, visit our Ferrari technical analysis section.
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