The Scuderia introduced the long awaited 'Macarena' wing along with modifications to the floor, the diffuser and the rear suspension, the goal is to compensate for the engine's power deficit. Vasseur trusts that the aggressive development plan will allow them to get closer to the lead.
The wait is over: Ferrari arrived at the Miami Grand Prix with an arsenal of technical upgrades that seek to transform the Italian team's season after a complicated 2025 without wins. The Scuderia had started 2026 as the main alternative to Mercedes, but still far from the pace of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, the April break, caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, has been used to the fullest in Maranello.
The upgrade package that has debuted at the Florida circuit is of a magnitude unusual in the middle of the season, the Scuderia's technicians have introduced improvements in practically all key areas of the SF-26: front wing, rear suspension, floor and its edge, diffuser, beam wing and rear wing, the crown jewel is the long awaited definitive version of the 'Macarena' wing, which had been in the testing phase since the pre season tests in Bahrain.
This part, which had generated great expectation for its design and functionality, aims to maximize performance in straight line mode, one of the historic shortcomings of the Italian cars. The rest of the modifications represent a comprehensive revision of the car aimed at improving the overall aerodynamic downforce of the SF-26.
Frederic Vasseur, the team principal, had already anticipated that the aggressive upgrade plan seeks to aerodynamically compensate for the deficiencies of the Ferrari power unit compared to the Mercedes engine, although expectations regarding the upgrades should always be tempered (all teams have had the same development time), in Maranello they trust that this package will mark a before and after.
The new floor is another of the key parts, although its relevance is not as decisive as it was during the ground effect era (2022-2025), despite this, the engineers believe that the combination of all these improvements can reduce the gap to the Silver Arrows.
In addition to the aerodynamic upgrades, Ferrari trusts in being able to access the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunity) program, an FIA system that allows struggling manufacturers to introduce power unit upgrades during the season. If they achieve it, the Italian team could attack the power deficit that so hampers their performance on fast circuits like Spa or Monza.
The first impressions in Miami have been positive: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton showed competitive pace in practice, although the real thermometer will be the race, Vasseur, however, calls for calm. The upgrades are a step forward, but the road to catch Mercedes is still long.