Ferrari go all-in with extensively updated SF-26 in key Monza running

Formula 1 has been plunged into a forced shutdown month following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which led to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, with uncertainty still surrounding whether they will be rescheduled later in the season.

However, the teams have not been sitting idle, with Ferrari in particular making the most of the break by running earlier this month with a TPC test at Mugello and a second outing at Fiorano for Pirelli - a prelude to the main running that took place today at Monza.

Although it is technically a filming day, with limited mileage available under the regulations, for the Scuderia it represents a hugely important 200km in the context of the season ahead, with the SF-26 set for a significant transformation.

Charles Leclerc is understood to have been first out on track at the wheel of an SF-26 packed with noticeable updates, with Lewis Hamilton set to take over driving duties in the afternoon.

Starting at the front, Ferrari confirmed to this site that it has introduced a new front wing specification, while the floor has also been revised compared to the version used in the opening races.

A new version of the so-called ‘macarena’ wing is also in play at Monza, after being introduced in China before being shelved both there and again in Japan the following round.

New fin elements have reappeared at the base of the halo, having first been trialled in China before being dropped. The solution is designed to clean up airflow around the cockpit, channel it towards the engine intake and rear bodywork, and deliver a small aerodynamic gain, particularly at high speed.

No updates on the power unit side, with the first ADUO checkpoint fast approaching. If Ferrari’s ICE is found to be between 2% and 4% down on the benchmark - widely believed to be Mercedes - the team would be granted a single additional upgrade to help close the gap.