Ferrari produced a distinct efficiency profile at Monza on Friday, with the SF-26 displaying specific power by way of the gradual chicanes and, crucially, a definite vitality deployment technique in contrast with Mercedes. Charles Leclerc topped FP1 and completed second in FP2, whereas Lewis Hamilton accomplished the 2 classes in second and fifth respectively, giving the Scuderia an encouraging platform forward of qualifying.
The headline positions inform solely a part of the story. Extra revealing is how Ferrari constructed its lap time throughout the 5.793-kilometre Monza circuit. The SF-26 appeared significantly efficient by way of the Prima Variante and Variante della Roggia, whereas its administration {of electrical} vitality allowed it to stay aggressive deep into the lap, exactly the place the Mercedes W17 appeared to comply with a distinct deployment philosophy.
Ferrari SF-26 finds a Monza power within the gradual chicanes
The Maranello automobile displayed a transparent attribute throughout Friday apply: the 2 gradual chicanes emerged as a few of its strongest areas. By means of the Prima Variante and Roggia, Ferrari confirmed a helpful mixture of turn-in potential, fast modifications of route and traction on nook exit.
That issues enormously at Monza. Any time misplaced by way of the circuit’s gradual corners can instantly change into an extra drawback on the lengthy straights that comply with. A automobile that rotates effectively and places its energy down cleanly can start accelerating earlier, carrying that profit for a number of hundred metres afterwards.
Friday’s behaviour subsequently supplied an encouraging indication that the SF-26’s Monza-specific package deal was working successfully. Absolutely the classification stays vital, however the best way the automobile generated its lap time gives a extra detailed indication of the place Ferrari could also be aggressive.
Ferrari and Mercedes construct their Monza laps otherwise
Probably the most fascinating comparability comes in opposition to the Mercedes W17. The 2 vehicles seem to comply with totally different methods in the best way they use their obtainable electrical vitality across the lap.
Mercedes tends to use extra of its electrical deployment throughout the primary three main straights, trying to maximise efficiency within the opening sections. That method permits the W17 to construct velocity instantly, however it might probably include a value later within the lap as the quantity {of electrical} vitality nonetheless obtainable begins to lower.
Ferrari seems to comply with nearly the other philosophy. Quite than essentially extracting the utmost electrical contribution on the opening straights, the SF-26 preserves a significant a part of its obtainable vitality for the part between the exit of Ascari and the braking zone for the Parabolica.
The distinction is central to the totally different Ferrari and Mercedes vitality deployment approaches at Monza. Comparable methods have already been noticed at different high-speed circuits, however the impact turns into particularly vital on the Temple of Pace due to the large calls for positioned on the Energy Unit over a lap.
Ferrari retains vitality in reserve for the top of the lap
The results of Ferrari’s method is especially fascinating. The SF-26 can afford to concede one thing on the early straights with out permitting that loss to change into a everlasting deficit. When the lap reaches its closing part, the Scuderia can get better floor exactly the place the Mercedes W17 seems much less efficient.
The distinction is subsequently not merely a query of most velocity. It is usually about deciding the place the obtainable electrical vitality can generate the best lap-time return. Saving deployment for a later part could be advantageous if that vitality permits the automobile to proceed accelerating strongly at a degree the place a rival has already consumed a lot of its electrical reserve.
That interpretation is supported by one other comparability from Friday, the place ADUO-2 telemetry confirmed stronger late-lap vitality availability. Monza is subsequently offering an particularly helpful check of each the brand new Energy Unit and the best way Ferrari chooses to deploy its assets across the lap.
Charles Leclerc finds the SF-26 window as Lewis Hamilton searches for extra
This technical image additionally helps clarify the totally different Friday outcomes of the 2 Ferrari drivers. Charles Leclerc instantly discovered feeling with the SF-26 and was aggressive on each the Medium and Mushy compounds.
Lewis Hamilton skilled a much less simple day, significantly when making an attempt to place collectively the best lap. His fifth place in FP2 doesn’t essentially characterize Ferrari’s full potential, nevertheless it demonstrates how slim the working window is at Monza. Braking, rotation, traction, vitality administration and straight-line velocity all have to return collectively inside a single lap.
The British driver subsequently nonetheless has room to enhance by discovering the precise steadiness between these components fairly than merely looking for extra outright efficiency from one a part of the automobile.
Italian GP apply programme offers Ferrari a robust knowledge base
Ferrari however accomplished a complete programme throughout each Friday classes. In FP1, each SF-26s started on the Laborious compound earlier than switching to the Medium after the purple flag attributable to Colton Herta’s stopped automobile.
On the Medium tyre, Charles Leclerc set a 1:23.008 to guide the session, with Lewis Hamilton second on a 1:23.181. Ferrari then moved into high-fuel operating in the course of the closing levels, with the Monegasque finishing 29 laps and the British driver 26.
FP2 adopted a distinct development, starting with the Medium earlier than the drivers moved onto the Mushy. Charles Leclerc lowered Ferrari’s reference to 1:22.679, sufficient for second place, whereas Lewis Hamilton recorded a 1:23.016 to complete fifth.
The programme once more prolonged nicely past qualifying simulations. Each drivers used the Mushy compound for his or her concluding lengthy runs and accomplished 29 laps every. Throughout the complete day, Ferrari accrued 113 laps, offering a considerable quantity of knowledge for each qualifying preparation and Sunday’s race.
Up to date Ferrari Energy Unit provides one other encouraging factor
One other technical issue highlighted by Lewis Hamilton was the up to date Energy Unit. The seven-time world champion described the event as a step in the precise route and acknowledged the work accomplished by the engineers at Maranello.
Ferrari’s newest specification is meant to enhance greater than merely most output. The broader SF-26 Energy Unit growth focuses closely on total effectivity, significantly as a result of electrical vitality administration has such an vital affect on efficiency beneath the 2026 System 1 laws.
On the identical time, Lewis Hamilton’s Friday demonstrated that there’s nonetheless work to do in placing collectively the right lap. His enchancment potential seems to rely closely on understanding the SF-26’s working window and exploiting it persistently.
Charles Leclerc supplied a extra constructive evaluation of Friday. The Monegasque driver highlighted encouraging sensations behind the wheel, whereas additionally recognising the excessive degree of competitiveness supplied by Ferrari’s rivals. The Scuderia is aware of which areas require consideration, with the in a single day work centered on lowering the weaknesses recognized throughout apply.
Ferrari’s wider Monza philosophy targets effectivity
The Energy Unit technique additionally sits inside a broader technical method adopted for the Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari has labored to scale back resistance and enhance effectivity fairly than counting on engine efficiency alone, with a number of SF-26 aerodynamic modifications designed particularly for Monza.
The workforce has additionally modified the SF-26’s FTM configuration to scale back drag, reinforcing the identical philosophy. The target is to make the whole automobile extra environment friendly in order that each aerodynamic efficiency and obtainable Energy Unit vitality could be transformed into lap time extra successfully.
Friday subsequently doesn’t set up a definitive aggressive order, nevertheless it does present a transparent technical indication. Ferrari seems to have discovered a very efficient means of distributing the SF-26’s assets round Monza. The automobile is robust within the chicanes the place lap time needs to be constructed mechanically, whereas preserving sufficient electrical vitality to change into significantly aggressive in the course of the closing a part of the circuit.
Mercedes could face the other scenario, extracting extra efficiency earlier within the lap however having much less vitality obtainable in direction of the top. Whether or not that distinction turns into decisive will solely change into clear as soon as outright efficiency takes precedence.
Qualifying will reveal whether or not Ferrari’s Monza philosophy works
FP3, scheduled for 12:30, will present the primary alternative to confirm Friday’s indications. Qualifying then begins at 16:00, when Ferrari’s specific vitality technique should translate into real single-lap efficiency.
That would be the second when the SF-26 has to reveal whether or not its strengths by way of Monza’s technically delicate sections can change into an actual weapon for the remainder of the weekend. Ferrari has proven that it might probably construct aggressive lap time otherwise from Mercedes; qualifying will reveal whether or not that philosophy is sufficient when each tenth issues.
There’s one additional variable that can’t be ignored at Monza: the slipstream. With towing methods able to having a serious affect on lap time across the high-speed Italian circuit, monitor place and timing might show simply as vital because the underlying efficiency of the SF-26 when the battle for the entrance of the grid begins.
Sep 5, 2026
