The Italian team plans a special setup for Belgium's straights with which it hopes to gain 11 km/h of top speed and recover 7 HP. The simplified exhaust version and an evolution of the "Macarena" wing are the main new features. Silverstone proved that Ferrari can compete on fast tracks.
Ferrari faces the Belgian Grand Prix with the intention of continuing to close the gap to Mercedes, the Italian team arrives at Spa-Francorchamps after two wins in the last three races and trusts that the aerodynamic upgrades introduced on the SF-26 will allow it to reduce the disadvantage on the straights. According to Motorsport Italia, the Maranello team expects to gain 11 km/h of top speed and recover 7 HP with a setup designed specifically for the Belgian track.
The key to the upgrades lies in two main areas: the first is the FTM system, a wing located near the exhaust outlet that generates more downforce in corners. This feature works very well on more stop-start tracks, but is not suitable for Spa-Francorchamps, so Ferrari has prepared a simplified version of the exhaust without that part. Tests were carried out in Austria with Dino Beganovic in FP1, who completed a lap without the FTM system and allowed the team to collect data for Belgium.
The second upgrade is related to the "Macarena" rear wing which has been criticized by the FIA after Max Verstappen's crashes in Austria and England. Ferrari, however, remains calm about its own system and is preparing a new evolution for Spa capable of creating a gap between the mobile wings and the main profile which could provide an increase of 11 km/h in top speed at the end of the straights.
Loïc Serra, Ferrari's technical director, is leading the development work with the aim of reducing the SF-26's aerodynamic drag, the team is also considering a third upgrade, a floor with lower aerodynamic drag which will only be used if it does not rain. The current forecast indicates a probability of rain above 50% on Friday, the day of free practice, which will decrease over the weekend.
Charles Leclerc's victory at Silverstone proved that Ferrari can also be competitive on high speed tracks, and the team trusts that the upgrades introduced for Spa will allow it to face Mercedes on the straights. Battery management remains Mercedes' key advantage, but the Belgian track is not as fluid as Silverstone and has more energy recovery points.
Ferrari hopes that the work on the simulator, with Charles Leclerc and the test drivers, has been enough to optimize the SF-26's setup for the Belgian GP.
The battle at Spa will be a litmus test for Ferrari. If the upgrades work, the Italian team could establish itself as Mercedes' main rival in the second half of the season.
The rain, always present in Belgium, could add an element of uncertainty that favors the boldest.
