Even unintentionally, Formula 1 has been left without races during the month of April due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Rising tensions between the United States and Iran have effectively pushed the leadership of the FIA and Liberty Media to cancel both the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Bahrain Grand Prix. This decision was taken partly to “protect” the image of the sport and the values that the Formula 1 circus has long claimed to promote—values that are not always consistently upheld in practice—and partly to avoid putting paddock personnel at risk during travel to the Persian Gulf region.
Despite the absence of on-track action, these weeks have been anything but quiet inside the factories of the Formula 1 teams. Engineers and technical staff have been working intensively, focusing on analyzing the vast amount of data collected during the opening rounds of the 2026 season. The objective is clear: optimize performance and return to racing in Miami at the beginning of May with a significantly improved package compared to the one seen in the early races of the campaign.
Ferrari working flat out
One of the teams putting in the most effort during this unexpected break is Ferrari. The Maranello-based squad has organized an extensive development program, both on track and at the factory, with the aim of making meaningful progress and delivering a turning point in a season that started positively but has yet to fully meet expectations.
At the beginning of April, Ferrari carried out two days of TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) running at Mugello. Antonio Giovinazzi, Arthur Leclerc, and Antonio Fuoco were all involved, taking turns behind the wheel of the 2025 car as part of the team’s ongoing development and correlation work. Following that, attention shifted to the current challenger, with the SF-26 recently entrusted to Lewis Hamilton for Pirelli tyre testing at the Fiorano circuit.
The British driver was given a baseline version of the SF-26 to take part in tyre development sessions, contributing to the evolution of the compounds that will be used in the next Formula 1 season. This outing effectively marked the final appearance of the car in its “Spec A” configuration, ahead of the arrival of a significant and comprehensive upgrade package that Ferrari hopes will unlock further performance.
A crucial filming day at Monza
Ferrari is now preparing for a key moment in its development trajectory. On Wednesday, the Scuderia will take to the track at Monza with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for a scheduled filming day—an event that had already been planned for several months. The session will feature the SF-26 fitted with the new upgrades that are set to be officially introduced during the Miami Grand Prix weekend.
During the 200 kilometers permitted under filming day regulations, Ferrari will collect its first real-world data on the latest developments. Among the most anticipated innovations is the so-called “Macarena” rear wing, alongside a series of aerodynamic upgrades focused on the floor area and the front wing. These components have been under development for several weeks, with Ferrari’s engineers working intensively to improve aerodynamic efficiency and overall car balance.
The goal is not only to address the minor issues that have emerged in the opening races but also to close the gap to Mercedes. So far in the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Silver Arrows have appeared virtually untouchable across a wide range of conditions and circuits. However, Ferrari—and indeed every team on the grid—heads into the next phase of the championship with renewed optimism that the upcoming upgrades could reshape the competitive order.
As Formula 1 prepares to resume action in Miami, the focus will be on whether Ferrari’s aggressive development push can finally translate into consistent on-track performance and bring them closer to challenging Mercedes at the front.
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