Trailing Mercedes by 72 points in the Constructors’ Championship with 12 rounds remaining, Ferrari is planning two major upgrade packages for the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. These updates will target both aerodynamics and the power unit, operating under the ADUO (Additional Development and Update Opportunities) framework. Additionally, the team expects to continue introducing smaller refinements to the SF-26 through the end of the championship.
The report comes from Italian outlet AutoRacer on Monday (10). The upcoming developments represent an evolution of the package introduced at Barcelona—a race that concluded with Lewis Hamilton securing his first victory for Ferrari and the Scuderia’s first win of 2026.
At the Spanish GP in Barcelona-Catalunya, Ferrari introduced its first major update package, focusing on the floor, diffuser, sidepods, and front wing to optimize airflow distribution and downforce. According to the report, the update planned for the Dutch Grand Prix consists of a “significant evolution” of this floor, designed to generate increased downforce and widen the car’s operating window.
Furthermore, Ferrari is expected to debut a new turbocharger at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, updated under the concessions allowed by ADUO. The modification aims to improve airflow and pressure management at high RPMs, reducing losses and helping the engine sustain power delivery in higher rev ranges.
The intended result is higher top speed on straights—a notable area of deficit for the Ferrari power unit compared to Mercedes. However, the engine upgrade will not be the only change for Monza, as the high-speed circuit naturally demands a low-drag aerodynamic setup.
The evolution of the turbocharger will also serve as a key baseline for further power unit architecture improvements in 2027. According to the power ranking published by the FIA, Ferrari trailed Red Bull (the grid’s benchmark) by 4%, granting the team the right to execute two engine upgrades in 2026 and another two in 2027.
Ferrari currently sits second in the Constructors’ Championship with 307 points to Mercedes’ 379. In the Drivers’ Championship, Lewis Hamilton ranks second with 169 points, 50 behind leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli (219 points).
Formula 1 is currently in its summer break. The season resumes August 21–23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
