Sports · Motorsport · 8 hrs ago
Ferrari brings modest aerodynamic upgrades to the US Grand Prix
Ferrari brought small aerodynamic upgrades to the US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
The changes to its SF-26 car include adjustments to the floor, sidepods and diffuser, which guide airflow beneath and behind the car.
Lewis Hamilton estimated the gains at less than a tenth of a second, and Charles Leclerc also said the upgrades were not major.
Ferrari says the changes aim to send stronger airflow to the rear and help the diffuser work more effectively.
That could make the car's downforce more consistent, even if it does not greatly improve its fastest lap time.
The work may also help Ferrari prepare for next season's floor changes, when the number of floor fingers is due to fall from five to three.
Leclerc was fastest in the opening practice session, but the upgrades' full effect will become clearer as the weekend continues.
Ferrari brought aerodynamic updates to its SF-26 for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
The changes include revisions to the floor, sidepod inlet and undercut, and diffuser.
Ferrari said the updates aim to increase floor downforce and improve airflow and flow stability towards the rear of the car.
Lewis Hamilton described the expected gain as less than a tenth, while Charles Leclerc said the parts were not major upgrades.
The articles differ in how they characterize the package: some emphasize its modest expected effect, while Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz called it impressive.
- Who
- Ferrari and its drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
- What
- Ferrari introduced aerodynamic updates to its SF-26 for the United States Grand Prix.
- When
- The 2026 United States Grand Prix weekend; the articles were published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Circuit of the Americas in Austin, United States.
- Why
- Ferrari said the changes aim to increase downforce and improve airflow and flow stability towards the rear of the car.
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz
Expected impact
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Hamilton called the upgrade very small and estimated it at less than a tenth; Leclerc said the parts were not major.
Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz
Kravitz described the package as impressive and said Ferrari had high hopes for it.
Scope of changes
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
The drivers played down the expected performance gain.
Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz
Kravitz pointed to multiple changes involving the floor and diffuser as the completion of a package begun in Madrid.
Ferrari began bringing the upgrade package that Kravitz said would be completed with the Austin changes.
Hamilton and Leclerc played down the expected impact of Ferrari's new parts.
Ferrari brought the updates to the Circuit of the Americas.
Leclerc went fastest; Verstappen's earlier benchmark was deleted for track limits.
- Car
- Ferrari SF-26
- Circuit
- Circuit of the Americas, Austin
- Floor fingers
- Five fences; Ferrari extended the outermost one
- Next season's floor fingers
- The number is set to fall from five to three
- Hamilton's estimate
- Less than a tenth
- Update areas
- Floor, sidepod inlet and undercut, diffuser
5 sources
The reasons behind Ferrari's US GP upgrades
Exploring Ferrari's 'less than a tenth' US GP update package
Ferrari’s ‘impressive’ last aero upgrade of 2026 F1 season explained
Ferrari's most significant F1 aero upgrade of 2026 revealed
What people are saying
We have a very, very small upgrade this weekend. It's less than a tenth. It's like half a tenth.
We have a very, very small upgrade this weekend. It's less than a tenth. It's like half a tenth.
They are not major upgrades; I've heard quite a lot about them, but they are not as big as maybe what's going around
I’ve got to say this is quite impressive for me.
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