F1 News: Ferrari unleash multiple upgrades at Dutch GP as Lewis Hamilton steps up F1 title bid

A happy Lewis Hamilton is shown with a Ferrari car in the background — Photo: © IMAGO

Ferrari F1

Ferrari unleash multiple upgrades at Dutch GP as Lewis Hamilton steps up F1 title bid

The Scuderia are bringing the fight to Mercedes

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson F1 Editor

Motorsport journalist covering F1 since 2024

Friday 21 August 2026 15:30

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Ferrari have introduced multiple upgrades for this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix in a boost to Lewis Hamilton's F1 title hopes.

Ferrari headed to Zandvoort chasing Mercedes in both championships in the second half of 2026.

Lewis Hamilton currently sits second in the drivers' standings, 50 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli, while Ferrari also trail Mercedes in the constructors' championship, 72 points behind heading into Saturday's F1 Sprint.

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To try and close the gap, Ferrari have made a number of changes to the SF-26 for this weekend's race, as confirmed by the FIA.

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Ferrari bring upgrades to Dutch Grand Prix

Ferrari have introduced five upgrades to their car for the event in Zandvoort, which focus on three key areas of the SF-26: the floor, diffuser, and beam wing.

On the floor, changes have been made to the floor body, floor board and floor edge, with these developments targeting: "A global increase in aerodynamic load across the entire operating range, combined with improved robustness of the underlying flow mechanisms, enhanced flow topology, and greater flow energy delivered to the rear diffuser."

In terms of the diffuser, Ferrari say that their alternative diffuser stays layout and revised diffuser expansion profile will return "increased aerodynamic load, whilst still maintaining flow stability."

Ferrari's beam wing upgrade is desgined as a 'minor' one, with a revised lower beam wing designed to work in interaction with the new rear diffuser, with "particular attention put on flow quality."

More upgrades are on the way, too, with a big engine update slated for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza next month.

Are Ferrari's upgrades working?

With just one free practice session ahead of the competitive action getting under way in the Netherlands this weekend, Ferrari don't have a huge amount of time to get to grips with their changes.

Early results did not yield a major improvement for the team, either, with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton finishing fourth and fifth respectively in FP1.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli topped the session in Zandvoort, with Hamilton and Leclerc trailing by 0.190s and 0.289s, respectively.

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F1 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Charles Leclerc