Ferrari Prepares Significant SF-26 Upgrades for Austin

Ferrari is preparing a substantial upgrade package for the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin. The SF-26 is expected to receive a new floor, revised sidepods, and a reworked cooling system, marking the final major development milestone for this year's car.

The Scuderia is making another determined push to close the deficit to the Formula 1 frontrunners. According to reports from AutoRacer, the Austin update will also feature adjustments to the bodywork and cooling configuration, serving as the team's last major aerodynamic overhaul before shifting complete focus to their 2027 machine.

All the planned components are closely interconnected. The modified floor is designed to generate higher levels of downforce and provide more consistent aerodynamic behavior across varying ride heights. Simultaneously, narrower sidepod inlets will alter airflow pathways, necessitating corresponding revisions to the cooling exit louvres.

The Italian outfit has not yet officially confirmed the full specifications of the upgrades or the expected lap-time gains. Consequently, these details outline the team's development path rather than track-proven performance data.

Team principal Frédéric Vasseur highlighted that the competitive hierarchy is far from settled, despite Red Bull's recent string of victories.

The race in Austin will offer the first real indicator of whether all planned components will debut together and if their combined impact translates into improved balance and outright lap pace.