(Motorsport-Total.com) – Ferrari is currently in full swing: The Scuderia’s summer break begins early next week. Accordingly, there is great eagerness to prepare for the two upcoming Grands Prix, which take place immediately after the well-deserved vacation.
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The focus is on the races in the Netherlands and Italy: Zandvoort is another track without long straights, where Ferrari’s strengths should actually come fully into play.
However, no one dares to call the Reds favorites, as we have seen how the two races ended, where a win for the SF-26 was firmly expected: an absolute flop. In Hungary, Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth, not even reaching the podium.
At Max Verstappen’s home race, the Scuderia will now bring some innovations. However, we probably won’t see the folding wing with the three-part element in the middle of the main profile again there.
Ferrari was able to use this solution, just as McLaren had already done at the Monaco Grand Prix – the only race where the FIA banned the use of active flaps due to concerns about extreme top speeds in straightline mode.
According to rumors, it is primarily about a fine adjustment of the SF-26 to the track characteristics of Zandvoort, while work on the approval of the ADUO2 engine is in full swing. This is supposed to be ready for use in time for its debut in Monza.
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New engine expected to arrive in Monza
Currently, endurance tests are running on the test bench to secure the set reliability goals: The targeted power increase must not impair the lifespan of the 067/6 in the slightest.
For the engineers around engine chief Enrico Gualtieri, Monza is crucial for a large part of the season. It is no secret that the second development stage of the V6 turbo, approved by the FIA, aims to significantly reduce the performance gap to the Mercedes M17 E Performance – while maintaining the component lifespan.
Hamilton and Leclerc have so far used three engines in their allocation, while at Mercedes both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have already used all four units allowed under the 2026 regulations. Ferrari can therefore start the ADUO2 specification without penalty, while a change at Mercedes would immediately bring the first grid penalty for both drivers in Monza (see 2026 engine overview).
So far, the test program for the new Ferrari unit is proceeding according to plan, and they are confident of completing all checks in time for the home race.
There was also a lot going on on the track this week: Rafael Camara completed a TPC test (“Testing of Previous Car”) in Fiorano. The test drive was intended to prepare the young Brazilian for an upcoming test in the Haas. There he will have to compete directly with Leonardo Fornaroli – the reigning Formula 2 champion, whom McLaren wants to loan to the US team for 2027.
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