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Ferrari have taken inspiration from Mercedes’ rear wing in their bid to try to beat the Silver Arrows with their latest update for the SF-26 at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Hungaroring stages the final round before F1’s summer break this weekend, with Ferrari widely seen as the favourite for success at the track on the outskirts of Budapest. Mercedes have a straight-line speed advantage in 2026, but the Scuderia may have a superior chassis.
Ferrari’s high downforce levels may also be another bonus that wins them the Hungarian GP with Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc. The Hungaroring’s tight and twisty layout is seen to be ideal for the SF-26, and Ferrari have now copied Mercedes to add even more downforce.
Let us know your podium prediction for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix! 🇭🇺
Ferrari have copied Mercedes’ flaps on the trailing edges of their rear wing in Hungary
Ferrari’s Macarena rear wing has been one of the biggest revolutions this season, given that they were the first team to reveal a reversible upper flap. But the Scuderia have taken note of the small flaps on the trailing edges of Mercedes’ rear wing, and they have now copied it.
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That is according to Motorsport.com, which reports that Ferrari have made the SF-26 ‘more aggressive’ with the addition of the small extensions on the trailing edges of their rear wing for this weekend’s Hungarian GP. Ferrari believe the flaps will let Hamilton and Leclerc make the most of the additional downforce generated for the Hungaroring’s medium-speed turns.
The rear wing that Hamilton and Leclerc will run at the Hungaroring this weekend is also not the low-downforce Macarena rear wing that Ferrari intended to take to Spa. Ferrari are due to debut their low-downforce wing at Monza in September, as their simulations show it will increase the SF-26’s top speed by another 4km/h (2.5mph) for a total gain of 11kmh (7mph).
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Ferrari know that it would not make sense to try their low-downforce version this weekend, given that the Hungaroring obliges a high-downforce set-up. And while the SF-26’s inherent downforce and chassis ought to suit the Hungaroring, Ferrari are not resting on their laurels.
The Ferrari SF-26’s downforce has regularly been an advantage over even Mercedes, with Hamilton and Leclerc frequently gaining ground on their rivals through the corners. Instead, a lack of straight-line speed is often their main weakness against the Silver Arrows this year.
What Ferrari produce at the Hungarian GP could also leave Mercedes heading into the four-week summer break fearing another defeat when the F1 paddock regroups at Zandvoort in August. The SF-26 ought to also put Hamilton and Leclerc among the favourites to win what will be the final Dutch Grand Prix for the foreseeable future at Zandvoort on August 21-23.
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