P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari’s current F1 regime prefers gradual upgrades – but expect big changes on the car next time out due to the enforced April break
The lack of Formula 1 races in April provides teams with a chance to assess their projects more thoroughly after the first three rounds. Ferrari’s SF-26 car has shown good aerodynamic performance but lags behind Mercedes in engine power. McLaren’s strong showing in Japan challenges Ferrari for the second force position, highlighting the power unit performance gap with Mercedes.
The F1 Commission meeting on April 9 will address regulations and set the ADUO power unit ranking deadline – potentially before the Monaco race, though Ferrari prefers to maintain the current schedule. Ferrari plans to test the 2027 wet tires at Fiorano and conduct a filming day at Monza with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races forces Ferrari to adjust their development plans, focusing on incremental updates instead of larger packages. Upgrades for increased downforce, aerodynamic changes, weight reduction and cooling management are on the agenda, along with the reintroduction of halo wings at Miami. There is a tight timeline in Maranello to finalize these updates before the next races.
