Taking advantage of an unexpected break in April, Ferrari is transforming this period into a real laboratory to relaunch its season against Mercedes.
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The Ferrari team does not intend to remain inactive during the break in the 2026 F1 calendar. With the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, the Scuderia has decided to intensify its development program to return stronger in Miami.
This month of April is thus considered a mini pre-season, with a clear objective: to reduce the gap with Mercedes, currently the benchmark of the field.
The first activities began immediately with a TPC (Testing of Previous Car) program at the Mugello circuit, involving several drivers such as Antonio Giovinazzi, Arthur Leclerc, and Antonio Fuoco.
A busy testing program
Ferrari is running back-to-back sessions to maximize track time. After Mugello, the team will head to Fiorano to participate in Pirelli tests, dedicated to the development of wet and intermediate tires for 2027.
Even weather conditions will be artificially recreated if necessary, proof of the importance given to this phase of work.
Another key moment: a filming day scheduled at Monza on April 22. Within the regulatory limit of 200 km, Ferrari will be able to test new parts on its current car, a valuable advantage before the Miami Grand Prix.
Team principal Frédéric Vasseur does not hide the importance of this period: “Everyone will bring updates to Miami. It will be like a new championship,” he explains.
According to him, this break gives engine manufacturers time to work on software adjustments, which could reshuffle the deck as soon as the season resumes. He remains, however, clear-eyed about the competition.
“We won’t be the only ones working hard. All teams will progress, so we must improve in all areas,” he confides.
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A still concerning engine deficit
Despite these efforts, Ferrari remains faced with a major problem: the lack of performance of its power unit. Drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both highlighted this gap compared to Mercedes. However, no immediate solution is possible.
“We cannot introduce new engine updates for Miami, so we have to work on other aspects,” Leclerc admits.
Hope now rests on a future evolution, notably via the ADUO system expected mid-season, which could allow for targeted adjustments.
In parallel, Ferrari continues to structure its internal organization. Lewis Hamilton’s integration is still evolving, notably with the upcoming arrival of his permanent race engineer, Cedric Michel-Grosjean, expected from Miami onwards.
This transition comes in a delicate media context. Former driver Christijan Albers criticized the Briton’s attitude after Suzuka.
“It wasn’t very smart of him. In China, everything was fine, then in Japan, he seemed downcast,” he believes.
Objective: reverse the trend
Ferrari is therefore playing for high stakes during this strategic break. Between technical development, organizational adjustments, and the expected increase in performance, everything is being done to return to the fight.
Miami will mark a turning point. And for the Scuderia, this “new season” could well be the one for a relaunch… or the one for confirmation.
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