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Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to get new upgrade as Ferrari utilise F1’s Belgian GP decision

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Ferrari are now set to offer Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc a rear wing update this weekend at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix after F1 chose Spa’s five straight mode zones.

The Scuderia will go to the Ardennes forest on a high after Leclerc won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone last time out. Hamilton also recently registered his first win in red in Barcelona and took third at Silverstone, to also move to within 32 points of first place in the standings.

Mercedes gem Andrea Kimi Antonelli falling to 15th place in the British GP after his front-left wheel shield broke, and he received a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits, saw the Italian’s lead atop the standings also shrink to only 25 points over teammate George Russell.

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Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris of McLaren on the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix podium with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

Ferrari are set to run an upgraded Macarena rear wing to reduce their drag at Spa

Ferrari know that Mercedes will pose a huge threat at the Belgian GP, with Spa’s layout likely to suit the W17’s superior energy management compared to the SF-26. Although Ferrari feel their aero package will suit Spa, and it can help Hamilton and Leclerc manage their batteries.

READ MORE: How to watch the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, plus the weather forecast for Spa

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc on track during the 2026 F1 British Grand Prix
Photo by Mark Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

The Maranello crew are set to offer Hamilton and Leclerc another upgrade to their rear wing at Spa, too, per Autosprint. Ferrari want to make the most of the drag reduction capabilities of their Macarena rear wing around Spa given that F1 has selected five straight mode zones.

Ferrari also believe the ‘technical innovation’ they have planned for their rear wing upgrade at the Belgian GP can help to balance load and resistance when Hamilton and Leclerc are in corner mode. That aspect could prove to be even more key around Spa, given that having a low-downforce set-up often provides greater rewards throughout the first and third sectors.

Formula 1 has confirmed that drivers will have five opportunities throughout a lap of Spa to use their active aerodynamics across the 2026 Belgian GP this weekend. Drivers will even be able to use straight mode to reduce their car’s drag on the run from La Source to Eau Rouge.

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A view of the F1 grid racing through Eau Rouge and Raidillon during the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix
Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

The downhill charge from the La Source hairpin at Turn 1 to the iconic Eau Rouge will be the second straight mode zone at Spa. Drivers will then have to deactivate straight mode for Eau Rouge by lifting off the throttle, braking or manually closing the active front and rear wings.

The third straight mode zone will also immediately follow on the exit of Raidillon to the Les Combes chicane via the Kemmel Straight. Straight mode will also be available from the run out of Stavelot to Blanchimont, from the exit of Blanchimont into the Bus Stop chicane, and along the pit straight – for which, F1 has selected the start/finish line as the activation point.

Ferrari are loath to waste an opportunity to utilise the five straight mode zones at Spa, thus intend to give Hamilton and Leclerc an upgraded version of their Macarena rear wing for the Belgian GP. The Scuderia have also extensively tested their set-up for Spa in the simulator in Maranello ahead of heading to the Ardennes forest in their hopes to battle Mercedes again.