Ferrari has tailored the SF-26’s FTM rear aerodynamic factor for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, with a modification that seems to serve a goal extending past easy drag discount. Alongside smaller lateral winglets, the Maranello engineers have launched a distinguished vertical slot within the central part of the machine, doubtlessly serving to to scale back exhaust backpressure and recuperate a small quantity of internal-combustion-engine effectivity.
Through the opening day of exercise at Monza, each System 1 staff started configuring its automobiles for the exceptionally quick traits of the Italian circuit. With lively aerodynamics having largely eradicated the necessity for the extremely specialised entrance and rear wings historically related to Monza, most groups have retained options broadly just like these seen in Belgium and concentrated as a substitute on smaller particulars.
Ferrari modifies the SF-26 FTM for Monza
Ferrari gives one notably attention-grabbing instance. The Scuderia has tailored the aerodynamic profile positioned across the exhaust outlet, a element designed to redirect airflow upwards on the rear of the automotive.
The answer has been built-in into the rear of the SF-26 because the starting of the season and is named FTM, or Flick Tail Mode. For Monza, Ferrari has revised it in two distinct areas.
First, the width of the 2 curved surfaces positioned on both facet of the exhaust has been diminished. Second, a conspicuous vertical opening has been created by way of the central part of the profile.
The modifications construct on Ferrari’s broader effort to adapt the SF-26 FTM to Monza’s low-drag necessities, the place even comparatively small reductions in aerodynamic resistance may be beneficial over the circuit’s prolonged full-throttle sections.
Smaller FTM winglets scale back drag at the price of downforce
The target behind decreasing the 2 lateral parts is comparatively simple to establish. Ferrari has additionally eliminated the 2 vertical fences usually fitted to these surfaces, decreasing aerodynamic resistance whereas accepting a corresponding lack of downforce.
That trade-off is completely in line with Monza’s calls for. Though the introduction of lively aerodynamics has modified how System 1 groups method low-downforce circuits, effectivity stays essential at a venue dominated by lengthy straights and high-speed working.
The extra intriguing modification is the big slot within the centre of the FTM. Opening this part inevitably reduces among the factor’s aerodynamic effectiveness, however crucial consequence could happen elsewhere.
Why Ferrari’s FTM slot could also be about exhaust backpressure
The central slot might assist scale back the backpressure generated by the FTM across the exhaust outlet. On this interpretation, its goal is subsequently not primarily aerodynamic, despite the fact that altering the opening inevitably impacts the airflow across the rear of the SF-26.
Two small horizontal profiles positioned above the realm, near the respective trailing edges, additionally seem to play a job. Their configuration appears meant to drive a larger proportion of the exhaust gases to stay decrease, serving to information them extra simply by way of the newly opened central slot.
The usual FTM idea provides Ferrari an aerodynamic benefit by strengthening the downforce-producing impact of the SF-26’s total rear aerodynamic system. Nonetheless, that profit comes with a possible compromise: the association can barely penalise the effectivity of the interior combustion engine.
That makes the Monza modification notably attention-grabbing as a result of the Scuderia is already focusing closely on total Energy Unit effectivity at its residence race. Ferrari’s broader method is explored in our evaluation of the SF-26 Energy Unit and why its Monza growth is about greater than horsepower.
How decrease exhaust backpressure might help the Ferrari engine
Opening up the exhaust space can scale back backpressure contained in the exhaust manifolds. With much less resistance because the gases go away the engine, the pistons require much less pumping work throughout the exhaust section, when burnt gases are expelled from the cylinders.
The potential acquire is small, however it will probably enable the interior combustion engine to recuperate a level of effectivity. At Monza, the place the Energy Unit spends a lot of the lap below sustained excessive load, even a modest enchancment can contribute to total efficiency.
This implies Ferrari’s FTM modification entails a extra complicated compromise than merely trimming aerodynamic load. The smaller outer parts scale back drag, whereas the central opening might additionally assist the combustion engine breathe extra effectively by easing the resistance encountered by the exhaust gases.
Monza forces Ferrari to rethink acquainted priorities
Monza continues to demand the identical elementary qualities it all the time has: low resistance, environment friendly energy supply and robust efficiency throughout extended acceleration. What has modified is the way in which trendy System 1 rules enable engineers to attain these aims.
Lively aerodynamics could have diminished the necessity for the unconventional Monza-specific wing packages seen in earlier generations, but it surely has positioned even larger emphasis on optimisation elsewhere. Ferrari’s FTM illustrates that philosophy notably effectively, with a seemingly small aerodynamic element doubtlessly influencing each the rear aero package deal and the effectivity of the combustion engine.
The idea additionally matches right into a wider programme of detailed growth across the SF-26, together with Ferrari’s work on turbocharger effectivity inside the ADUO-2 Monza specification. Extra evaluation of the technical options showing on the automotive all through the season may be present in our Ferrari technical evaluation part.
On the Temple of Velocity, then, the engineering targets stay acquainted even when the options have advanced. Ferrari’s modified FTM is one other instance of how the 2026 rules have modified the strategies obtainable to System 1 engineers with out altering Monza’s elementary demand for optimum effectivity.
Sep 4, 2026
