Ferrari Chasing 11 km/h Boost on Spa's Straights

Ferrari drivers have claimed two of the last three Formula 1 races, significantly closing the gap to Mercedes. With Maranello planning substantial upgrades to their SF-26, Mercedes has also been forced to revise its own car development strategy.

This weekend at Spa, the long straights are expected to expose the SF-26's weaknesses. Ferrari's car has struggled with top-end speed, a recurring issue this season, notably in Austria where they also faced tire degradation problems.

Consequently, Ferrari has prepared two crucial technical innovations for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The first involves the rotating horizontal element of the rear wing, dubbed “Macarena.” This new version is believed to be far more efficient than its predecessor, potentially boosting the SF-26's straight-line speed by an additional 11 km/h.

While the FIA announced an investigation into movable rear wings following Max Verstappen's crashes in Austria and at Silverstone, Ferrari has already stated that their wing actuation mechanism differs from Red Bull's, alleviating any concerns about their development.

The second modification concerns the “STM system” – miniature aero elements positioned around the exhaust. These serve a dual purpose: on straights, they help reduce the rear wing's effectiveness and also modify the airflow behind the car's diffuser.

In Austria, Ferrari test driver Dino Beganovic trialed an aero package without the STM during the first practice session, aiming to further enhance the car's straight-line speed.