Ferrari and McLaren to launch attack on Mercedes at Zandvoort

Ferrari is seeking to hit the ground running after the summer break with the latest upgrade to the SF-26. In Zandvoort, the team will introduce a new floor, which is essentially a further development of the version introduced in Barcelona in June.

From a technical standpoint, the goal is clear: to generate more downforce through the bodywork while, just as with the previous development, further improving the car’s all-round performance. 

Ferrari want to ensure that the SF-26 is also competitive on twistier circuits, where long straights and high top speeds are less important.

Zandvoort’s characteristics thus serve as a direct test case to assess how effective this new development is. The floor is only the first step in the extensive development program that Ferrari has planned for the second half of the season.

According to RacingNews365 sources, the introduction of a further-developed version of the floor introduced in Barcelona was not planned for Zandvoort until recently. 

However, analysis of the data from the Austrian Grand Prix, combined with that from the British Grand Prix - two circuits with virtually opposite characteristics - made it clear where there was still room for improvement.

At the Red Bull Ring, the SF-26, partly due to the chosen setup, was unable to match the performance it had delivered two weeks earlier in Barcelona. Ferrari quickly decided to develop a modified floor and put the necessary parts into production even before the mandatory two-week shutdown. 

This will only reinforce rival teams’ opinion of Ferrari’s outstanding development and production capabilities.

New engine upgrade

Although the latest version of the floor will be introduced at Zandvoort despite the sprint format, the introduction of the updated power unit for Monza remains on schedule.

Thanks to the second ADUO window, the long-awaited update can be introduced there. The most significant change is a new turbine with a larger diameter, which should noticeably improve the internal combustion engine’s performance on the straights.

It is difficult to specify exactly how much additional power this development will yield at maximum RPM. 

It should be emphasised, however, that the update should not be viewed as a means to immediately and completely eliminate the performance gap with the competition’s powertrains, primarily Mercedes HPP and Red Bull Powertrains. Ferrari will have to wait until 2027 for that.

Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that, although this is not officially stated, there is a great deal of confidence at Maranello. 

The data collected so far suggests that the combination of aerodynamic improvements and narrowing the gap in engine performance could form a solid foundation for a challenge against Mercedes in the second half of the season.

McLaren responds

McLaren is also resuming the season with a new development for the MCL40. 

Technical Director of Engineering Neil Houldey previously stated that Ferrari serves as an important benchmark due to the development capabilities the team has demonstrated so far.

McLaren is also set to introduce a new floor at Zandvoort. This will effectively complete the development package introduced in Hungary, where it won for the first time this year.

The Woking-based team has now thoroughly identified the MCL40’s weaknesses. However, some of these stem from design choices that can no longer be adjusted during the season. 

This applies, for example, to the wheelbase, which has proven to be too short. As a result, the car reacts very sensitively to changes in the setup, and it is also difficult to find the right setup.

Nevertheless, the team in Woking is convinced that the direction taken with the most recent updates can ensure that the MCL40’s potential is finally fully realised. 

That potential remained largely untapped for much of the first half of the season.