Ferrari has introduced its final major aerodynamic upgrade of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, with a new floor, revised sidepods and bodywork on the SF-26. Both drivers have downplayed the significance of the parts, but the package is intended to be the last major development push before the team turns its full attention to next year's car.
The update focuses on the car's underfloor. Ferrari's package reportedly extends across the floor from its leading edge to the diffuser, with the aim of generating additional downforce and improving the SF-26's aerodynamic balance and operating window. The team has also reshaped the sidepod inlet and undercut, and introduced a revised diffuser. One of the more distinctive changes is a unique approach to the so-called fingers at the front edge of the floor, which the primary report highlights as a notable feature of the package.
Technical reporting describes the changes as refinements to the existing architecture rather than a radical change of concept. Ferrari's official upgrade submission identified the objectives as improving airflow to the rear of the car and supporting the diffuser, but those were stated aims rather than confirmed performance gains. Sky Sports F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz described the package as impressive and said it represented the completion of the upgrade work that began in Madrid. Kravitz also argued that Ferrari's on-track difficulties did not extend to its design office.
The timing matters for Ferrari's championship position. The team sits second in the constructors' standings with 444 points, holding a 105-point margin over McLaren with six races remaining. Ferrari has been working to close its deficit to Mercedes and Red Bull, and the Austin package is the team's latest attempt to do so. After Austin, development for the rest of the season is expected to be limited to circuit-specific adaptations, with additional cooling configurations anticipated for the high-altitude Mexican Grand Prix.
On track, Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the first practice session on Friday, posting a 1:36.052 on soft tyres to finish 0.084 seconds clear of Max Verstappen. Verstappen had briefly gone quicker with a 1:35.860, but that lap was deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 19. Lando Norris was third, 0.245 seconds back, followed by George Russell in fourth. Four teams were represented inside the top four of the session.
Early analysis of the session suggests the upgrade has strengthened the car in corners, with Leclerc notably quick through the so-called snake sequence. However, the same analysis points to a significant straight-line deficit to Verstappen, with Leclerc losing ground particularly on the long back straight. Without quantitative performance data, the precise gain from the package cannot yet be established, and the weekend's later sessions will show whether the changes translate into race pace.