Update on the underbody: This is how Ferrari wants to catch up to Mercedes

– At the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort (all sessions in the live ticker!), it will be revealed which team has done its homework best during the summer break. Ferrari has set itself the goal of catching up to Mercedes – among other things with a completely redesigned floor.

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The summer break, during which the factories had to be closed for two weeks, ended for Scuderia on Sunday night. Afterwards, the new updates were released and sent to Zandvoort. In the Netherlands, the SF-26 will be seen with changes to the floor, with the focus on the rear diffuser.

Adjustments specifically developed for the track on the North Sea will also be used. Zandvoort requires a lot of aerodynamic downforce, although not quite as much as in Hungary. Therefore, smaller changes to the wings are expected, matching the setup determined in the simulator.

“There is a very clear development plan,” reveals Charles Leclerc. “There are still many things we want to improve, and it is very clear what the biggest weaknesses were in the first half of the season.” Besides the floor, there could be further adjustments if they convince in the first free practice on Friday.

Ferrari with “very aggressive plan” for upgrades

The problem: Because Zandvoort is a sprint weekend, there is only one practice session to test the new parts’ effectiveness. Ferrari is under pressure and must reduce the gap to Mercedes if they want to keep their small chance in the championship fight. But the Italians’ previous updates have apparently worked as desired.

“I find that very impressive,” praises Leclerc. “This year, compared to others, we have pursued a very aggressive approach. Firstly, in terms of innovations; it is a very positive sign that we are innovative and are working intensively to find solutions within the regulations.”

“And secondly through the very aggressive plan to introduce upgrades.” Ferrari’s development department has “achieved incredible things in the first half of the season and worked intensively to get the parts as early as possible,” says the Monegasque. Because Mercedes has saved many updates for the second half of the season.

“That makes a huge difference – especially in a year like this, where we are still in an early development stage and every new upgrade has such a big impact,” Leclerc is pleased with the positive progress with the SF-26. “So we will continue to push just as hard in the second half of the season.”

Zandvoort should suit the Ferrari SF-26, but …

Zandvoort should at least on paper be a track that suits the characteristics of the SF-26, although predictions this year are almost impossible. Because on the twisty tracks in Monaco and Budapest, where Scuderia was even hoping for a one-two finish according to forecasts, there were disappointments.

And in Zandvoort, the Italians have not really been competitive in previous years either. “That’s true. Historically, it was not a particularly strong track for us,” Leclerc recalls. “At the same time, the current cars are so different that the order of the teams, or the teams that have found it easier on such tracks, can certainly shift somewhat.”

“Moreover, it is a pretty technical track layout. And normally, technical tracks suit us a bit better this year.” Ferrari was convincing this season on the fast tracks in Barcelona and Silverstone, although they had actually expected bigger difficulties there.

“So I remain optimistic, but we have to wait,” the Monegasque remains cautious. “But I also believe that we have understood well why we had difficulties here in the past with previous car generations. I assume we will not have these problems this year and hope I am right.”

Lewis Hamilton: “We have now found the right formula”

In Maranello, they still believe in the potential of their own car and want to consistently push development forward to unlock performance reserves that have not yet emerged. “As a team, we have moved in the right direction,” says Lewis Hamilton.

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“The things I asked for have actually been implemented over time. The results prove us right and that shows it works. I feel that we have now found the right formula,” the record world champion is pleased. “We are now fully committed to that and continue working on improvements.”

Photo gallery: All Ferrari Formula 1 cars since 1950

“Last year I said Ferrari should take the lead and set the tone – everyone else should follow them. This year we are the leaders,” Hamilton adds. “Others are orienting themselves on our wing designs and exhaust system. I believe we are simply on the right path.”

“We are in a really optimal position. Now we just have to build on what we have achieved so far.” However, in the Netherlands, it will not only depend on the quality of the developments. The crucial factor will be their implementation, which must work almost perfectly with only one free practice.

New Ferrari engine to debut at the Monza home race

And while the team of technical director Loic Serra is working to optimally showcase the strengths of the SF-26 on the 14 corners of Zandvoort, the engine developers led by Enrico Gualtieri continue their work on the 067/6, which is to debut in Monza.

“Of course, the engine and the power we have available compared to the power units of Mercedes and Red Bull are the areas where we need to catch up the most. That is our focus,” says Leclerc. The endurance runs of the modified power unit, which evolved from the ADUO2, have resumed.

All new components are subjected to the stresses caused by the increased power. Because Guido Di Paola, head of the concept and design department for combustion engines, and his colleagues have made significant changes to the Garrett turbocharger.

The diameter remains unchanged, but the geometry and the number of blades of the turbine wheel have been changed. This is intended to achieve better cylinder filling at higher speeds. At the same time, the combustion chamber was revised. The temperature of the airflow entering the cylinder from the compressor was further increased.

This should allow higher pressure during the combustion phase. According to information from the project environment, this should increase efficiency (also thanks to the new fuel from Shell, which was homologated specifically for the characteristics of the new engine) and at the same time reduce emissions.

New Ferrari engine expected to have up to 14 hp more

On the test bench, 13 to 14 additional hp were measured, with part of the power increase also attributed to the further development of the fuel. Because very “lean” engine maps are used, reliability must be monitored particularly closely.

This also applies to components that have not caused any problems so far but could now reach their limits due to the increased loads. The technicians have also changed the torque delivery to reduce the possible spinning of the rear wheels when accelerating out of corners. This specifically addresses one of the weaknesses of the SF-26.

When braking and in the turn-in phase, the car is among the stronger cars in the current grid. More power, also to support electrical energy recovery, and lower energy consumption in the initial acceleration phase should make it possible to better preserve the rear tires.

These are also many individual measures that come together like a mosaic to form an overall picture and show the close cooperation between the various departments of the Scuderia. But will that be enough to put pressure on Mercedes in the next races?

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