Ferrari started the 2026 Formula 1 season with a win in Barcelona, but since the Spa round in July, Ferrari has yet to return to the podium. The SF-26 hasn't suddenly become uncompetitive, but the development rate of rivals – especially McLaren – has moved the benchmark forward, while Maranello has actually postponed a major part of its upgrade plan.
The decision to delay wasn't without reason. The technical group led by Loic Serra, with Diego Tondi heading the aerodynamics department, chose not to rush the entire package to meet the Netherlands window. Instead, they gave aerodynamicists more time to refine certain areas, including the floor, and seek a greater performance gain.
McLaren Speeds Ahead
Between the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix, McLaren brought a series of aerodynamic developments to the MCL40, particularly around the floor. This yielded a clear step forward. Specific solutions for faster circuits, such as the H-wing – McLaren's version of the flip-flop wing – were also used at almost every race after Hungary, except Madrid. This broadens the car's configuration options when reducing drag is a priority.
However, McLaren's progress isn't just about aerodynamics. According to some competitors, one of the areas where the most work has been done at Woking is understanding and activating the tyres. The ability to bring tyres into the correct operating window was already a key factor in McLaren's performance since 2025, and Lando Norris in particular has been able to exploit it. Now, McLaren seems to have taken a further step in this area. So it's not just about adding aerodynamic load, but becoming more effective in exploiting it and using the tyres correctly.
Ferrari Chooses Patience
At Maranello, they already knew before Zandvoort that the update introduced in the Netherlands wouldn't represent a particularly large performance step. The changes to the floor were only part of the work initially planned. The package brought to Zandvoort can be considered, conceptually, around three quarters of the update Ferrari had planned in that area. Some of the more substantial interventions were postponed because progress wasn't living up to expectations.
The choice not to accelerate production of the entire package to meet the Dutch window was a bold strategy. Ferrari preferred to give aerodynamicists more time to work on other areas, including the floor, and look for a greater performance gain. One of the areas on which work has continued concerns the outer edge, where Maranello's technical department gave aerodynamicists more time to develop, dissatisfied with the gain.
With the second half of the season still long, Ferrari hopes this patient approach will pay off. However, they must quickly turn potential into tangible results if they want to stay in the fight at the front. Meanwhile, McLaren continues to show that deep technical understanding – especially regarding tyres – can be a major differentiator in the title battle.
Baca Juga
David Coulthard desak FIA percepat keputusan safety car setelah kontroversi di GP Spanyol 2026. Norris kehilangan kemenangan, Antonelli menang. Baca analisis lengkapnya.
Ferrari F1 2026: kemenangan Barcelona lalu paceklik podium. McLaren unggul lewat update aerodinamika dan pemahaman ban. Ferrari tunda upgrade demi lompatan performa.
Fabio Quartararo menyerukan MotoGP meniru F1 dengan mengurangi jumlah sprint race jika sprint qualifying diperkenalkan. Simak komentar lengkapnya.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!