Less drag and extra horsepower: What Ferrari aims to achieve with Italian GP upgrades

Key takeaways

Low-drag aerodynamic package: Ferrari has trimmed its floor and rear wing configuration to maximize straight-line speed around Monza’s temple of speed.
15 hp engine boost: A second ADUO engine revision debuts this weekend, introducing updates to the turbo, combustion chamber, and a new Shell fuel blend.
More upgrades to come: The Dutch GP floor generated a 0.15s per lap gain, with further revisions planned for the Baku-to-Austin swing.

For Ferrari, no event carries greater weight than the Italian Grand Prix. The high-speed nature of the Monza circuit forces the Italian squad to introduce a tailored package designed specifically to optimize straight-line efficiency and minimize aerodynamic drag.

Rather than introducing all-new specifications, Ferrari has focused on refining existing concepts. According to The Race, the SF-26 floor will feature a single vertical element instead of the three-tier arrangement used previously, reducing overall drag along Monza’s long straights. Additionally, the support flaps introduced on the “Macarena” rear wing in Hungary—and retained at Zandvoort—will be removed to reduce downforce.

However, the team opted to retain the FTM winglet positioned ahead of the exhaust exit, using hot exhaust gases to manage airflow despite initial thoughts of stripping it to further reduce drag.

The primary asset for the tifosi at Monza lies under the engine cover. As reported by Motorsport Italy, Ferrari will debut its second ADUO engine specification, featuring revised turbocharger and compression chamber components expected to deliver up to 15 horsepower on track, complemented by a new fuel formulation supplied by Shell.

This technical offensive coincides with crucial driver developments across the paddock, including why the Italian GP week could define Oliver Bearman’s Formula 1 future and Red Bull setting a Wednesday decision deadline for Isack Hadjar’s return from injury.

Formula 1 action resumes from September 4–6 for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza (Round 13 of the 2026 season). GRANDE PRÊMIO will provide complete live coverage of every session. Follow all updates on our news page.

Ferrari is bringing targeted revisions to its floor and rear wing for Monza (Photo: Gabriel López/Grande Prêmio)

Ferrari SF-26 Monza Technical Upgrades Summary

Component	Technical Change	Expected Performance Impact
Floor	Single vertical element replacing three-element cascade	Reduced drag and improved straight-line speed
Rear Wing	Support flaps removed from “Macarena” wing assembly	Lowers downforce levels tailored for Monza
Power Unit	Second ADUO revision (Turbo, Compression Chamber, Shell Fuel)	Gains of up to 15 horsepower
Exhaust (FTM)	Retained small winglet forward of exhaust exit	Maintains exhaust-gas airflow management

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. What performance gains does Ferrari expect from its new engine spec at Monza?

The updated ADUO power unit specification is expected to yield up to 15 horsepower, aided by internal turbo/compression revisions and a new Shell fuel blend.

2. Why did Ferrari modify its rear wing and floor for the Italian Grand Prix?

Monza demands high top speeds and minimal aerodynamic drag. Ferrari removed support flaps and simplified floor elements to reduce drag on long straights.

3. When are Ferrari’s next major aerodynamic upgrades planned after Monza?

Ferrari is preparing an expanded floor and diffuser update package set to debut between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

No Red Bull Ring, a Ferrari chegou a testar a SF-26 sem a asinha pensando tanto em Spa-Francorchamps quanto em Monza, circuitos de alta velocidade do calendário. Na Bélgica, contudo, as condições de aderência da pista, além do clima incerto, levaram a Scuderia a manter o sistema.

Por fim, o grande trunfo da equipe de Maranello para não decepcionar os aficionados tifosi reside no motor. O Motorsport Itália noticiou durante o final de semana que a nova especificação segundo as regras do ADUO vai estrear em Monza, e a expectativa é que as mudanças no turbo e na câmara de compressão rendam uma evolução de até 15 cv na pista. Além disso, a Ferrari também terá um novo combustível fornecido pela Shell.

Após o GP da Itália, a janela que vai de Baku, no Azerbaijão, até Austin, nos Estados Unidos, passa a ser o próximo alvo da Ferrari para mais uma importante leva de atualizações. O que se espera é uma evolução maior do assoalho usado em Zandvoort, com revisões principalmente na parte da frente, além do difusor. Segundo a publicação inglesa, o pacote levado para os Países Baixos proporcionou um ganho de 0s15 por volta.

A Fórmula 1 volta neste final de semana, de 4 a 6 de setembro, em Monza. O GRANDE PRÊMIO acompanha todas as atividades do GP da Itália, 13ª etapa da temporada 2026, AO VIVO E EM TEMPO REAL, além de classificação e corrida em SEGUNDA TELA no YouTube, em parceria com a Voz do Esporte. O Briefing chega para analisar após o fim de cada dia de atividades nas redes sociais e na GPTV.