Sports · Motorsport · 11 hrs ago
Ferrari plans major 2026 upgrade for United States Grand Prix
Ferrari plans its biggest 2026 upgrade at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
The package is expected to include a revised floor, with changes also planned for other parts of the car.
The floor is the main focus, with Ferrari aiming to gain downforce and give the car a wider operating window.
The team is keeping its current sidepod design rather than making a major change, after weighing the work and uncertain gains against the limited races left.
Ferrari has also studied a Red Bull sidepod concept but chose not to devote major resources to copying it.
Ferrari is second in the constructors' standings, behind Mercedes, with McLaren third and Red Bull fourth.
The Austin race is scheduled for 23–25 October, and Ferrari has shifted much of its development attention to its very different 2027 car.
Ferrari plans to bring its fourth and most significant aerodynamic upgrade package of the 2026 season to the United States Grand Prix.
The package is expected to include a revised floor, with changes also planned for the sidepods and upper bodywork.
Ferrari aims for the floor to deliver the same or more downforce while allowing a less stiff setup and a wider operating window.
The team has chosen to optimise the SF-26’s existing design rather than make a major change to its sidepods.
The Austin package is the final development package of this scale planned for the SF-26 as Ferrari shifts focus to its 2027 car.
- Who
- Ferrari is preparing the upgrade for its Formula 1 team and SF-26.
- What
- The team plans a major aerodynamic package, including a revised floor.
- When
- The United States Grand Prix is scheduled for 23-25 October 2026.
- Where
- The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
- Why
- Ferrari aims to improve performance, including producing the same or more downforce with a less stiff setup.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Motorsport.com reported that Ferrari was expected to bring a major upgrade package to the United States Grand Prix.
The Race reported that Ferrari’s Austin package would be its fourth and most significant aerodynamic upgrade of the season.
The United States Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at the Circuit of the Americas.
The Mexican Grand Prix is scheduled, where Ferrari may introduce further cooling configurations.
- Upgrade count
- Fourth aerodynamic package of Ferrari’s 2026 season
- Circuit
- Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
- Grand Prix dates
- 23-25 October 2026
- Ferrari constructors’ points
- 444
- Mercedes constructors’ points
- 578
3 sources
What people are saying
Not sure
Honestly, they are doing very well, but it's not the team to beat.
But the most important thing is to be focused on ourselves, not to think about the others.