Ferrari encountered an early setback during the practice sessions for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, July 17, 2026. The team implemented an experimental aerodynamic package on Charles Leclerc’s car, which did not deliver the anticipated performance gains.
Technical analyst Paolo Filsetti highlighted that Leclerc’s car ran a new, more aggressive floor design during the first practice session. This component was intended to enhance downforce, particularly through the circuit’s high-speed corners.
However, data indicated that the experimental floor led to a lack of balance and inconsistent grip levels for Leclerc. He reported issues with both oversteer and understeer, hindering his ability to extract full performance from the SF-26.
Leclerc’s lap times in FP1 reflected these difficulties, placing him P8 on the timing sheets. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, who ran a more conventional and established setup, finished the session in P4.
For the second practice session, Ferrari opted to revert Leclerc’s car to the standard floor specification, aligning it with Sainz’s configuration. This immediate change resulted in a noticeable improvement in Leclerc’s performance.
Leclerc’s lap times improved significantly, and the car demonstrated enhanced stability. He concluded FP2 in P3, showcasing the underlying pace of the Ferrari package once the experimental elements were removed.
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal, confirmed the team’s intention to explore various aerodynamic avenues. He stated that the data gathered from the experiment, despite its immediate performance impact, remains valuable for future development.
‘We are continuously pushing the boundaries of our car’s performance,’ Vasseur commented. ‘Sometimes experiments do not yield immediate results, but the information gained is crucial for our long-term objectives.’
Both Leclerc and Sainz reported a better feel and increased predictability with the standard setup. Leclerc specifically noted that the car felt ‘much more connected’ after the adjustments.
Despite the initial challenges, Ferrari remains confident in its potential for the Belgian Grand Prix. The strong performance shown in FP2 suggests the team possesses the pace to contend for strong positions in qualifying and the race.
This development push is part of Ferrari’s broader strategy for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The team aims to reduce the performance gap to leading rivals Red Bull and McLaren.
