Ferrari is set to introduce a heavily revised car for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, according to reports from Italian media. The updates could give Lewis Hamilton the machinery he needs to take the fight to Mercedes in 2026.
The Maranello squad has been the second-quickest team on the grid so far this season. Ferrari has secured a podium at each of the first three Grands Prix, a run that has placed the team second in the constructors’ championship. Charles Leclerc currently sits third in the drivers’ standings, with Hamilton one spot behind in fourth.
Despite the strong start, Ferrari remains some distance off Mercedes’ pace. The team is still chasing its first Grand Prix victory since 2024, after going winless throughout the 2025 season. Closing that gap has become the main priority, and the unscheduled break in the calendar has given engineers extra time to work.
The Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix were both cancelled, leaving a gap in the schedule that Ferrari has reportedly used to push through significant changes. _AutoRacer_ reports that the team has made sweeping revisions to the SF-26, including weight reduction and a batch of performance upgrades. The outlet described the package as a “one-and-a-half upgrade,” indicating it is larger than a typical single-race update.
Development has focused on several key areas. Earlier this month, reports emerged that Ferrari was testing new software to improve how the power unit manages electrical charge. The goal is to reduce the impact of super clipping on the straights, a problem that has forced drivers into lift-and-coast phases under the 2026 rules. Better energy deployment should allow Hamilton and Leclerc to stay on the throttle longer and defend more effectively.
Aerodynamic work has also continued. Ferrari has been refining its ‘Macarena’ rear wing concept and is now adjusting the car’s underbody and sidewall profile to better suit the wing’s airflow demands. The combination is aimed at improving straight-line efficiency without sacrificing cornering performance, a balance that has been tricky under the current regulations.
The team is expected to validate the new parts during a filming day at Monza later this week. The circuit was chosen specifically because it places heavy demands on energy management, with long straights and hard braking zones that expose any weakness in deployment or harvesting. Data from the test will determine whether the full package runs in Miami.
For Hamilton, the upgrades come at a crucial time. The seven-time world champion joined Ferrari in 2025 and endured a frustrating first year, failing to score a podium as the team struggled for competitiveness. He ended that drought last month with third place at the Chinese Grand Prix, his first top-three finish in red. Now he is searching for his maiden Ferrari victory, and a stronger car could put him in contention.
Mercedes has set the benchmark in 2026 with a car that looks quick in all conditions, but Ferrari’s consistent podium form shows the base platform is solid. If the weight savings and energy management gains work as planned, the gap could shrink quickly. Miami’s mix of long straights and tight corners will be an early test of whether Ferrari has found the right compromise.
Leclerc will also benefit from the changes as he continues his own title push. The Monegasque has been Ferrari’s lead scorer so far, but Hamilton’s experience in development and race execution could prove vital once the new parts are bolted on.
Ferrari has not won a drivers’ title since 2007 or a constructors’ crown since 2008. The pressure to end that drought is growing, and 2026 is seen internally as a real opportunity with the new power unit era. The Miami package is the first major step in that plan. If it delivers, Ferrari may finally have the “monster” Hamilton needs to beat Mercedes. If not, the team risks another season of podiums without the top step.
All eyes will be on Monza this week, and then on Miami on May 3, to see whether Ferrari’s gamble pays off.