Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull: A Technical Breakdown of Their Miami Grand Prix Upgrades

The Miami Grand Prix served a dual purpose in the 2026 Formula 1 season. It marked the introduction of revised energy management regulations designed to curb the effects of super clipping — the sharp loss of electrical deployment at the end of long straights — and it also represented the first race in which several teams unveiled major aerodynamic packages. For Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, Florida was the moment to show their hand.

Ferrari SF-26: Rethinking the Rear End

Ferrari's aerodynamic analysis in this zone was evident from the latest evolution of the FTM profile: a curved flap positioned directly behind the exhaust outlet, engineered to stall the main rear wing on the straights. The geometry of this element — characterised by a curved central profile directing exhaust gases upward — plays a central role in the car's drag-reduction strategy.

Diffuser Refinement and Outwash

Below the FTM, the diffuser received equally significant attention. New median flow separators were added alongside existing elements in the lower central volume, creating channels of varying cross-sections that serve to increase exit flow velocity and, in turn, generate a larger low-pressure area beneath the car.

A particularly interesting CFD-driven study extended the brake duct fairings towards the rear section of the diffuser, effectively prolonging the lateral channels within the expansion zone. Together with the diffuser sidewall, this generated twin channels designed to enhance outwash around the rear wheels.

In essence, Ferrari pursued a highly targeted approach: increase downforce generation while simultaneously improving aerodynamic cleanliness around the rear axle. Whether the package delivered the expected performance gain on track is a separate question — one that former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley addressed in his warning about the Scuderia's development trajectory after Miami — but the engineering intent was clear and sophisticated.

McLaren MCL40: The Front Wing That Shaped Everything

For McLaren, the headline development was an extensively revised front wing, and its influence cascaded through the entire upgrade package, including substantial floor modifications.

The new design represents a genuine exercise in precision engineering. The geometry of the flap sections and, critically, the way the elements transition towards the endplates, reflect a clear ambition: to widen both the downforce and drag delta between the activated and closed configurations of the active aerodynamic system. In other words, to make the DRS-equivalent function more effective by amplifying the swing between its two operating states.

A Package That Worked on Track

Naturally, the management of these two modes had significant implications for the floor development. The revised floor was not designed in isolation — it was conceived as a complementary element to the new front wing philosophy.

The results were encouraging. The revised package not only generated more aerodynamic load but also delivered a measurable improvement in balance and overall vehicle dynamics throughout the weekend. For McLaren, this was not just a numbers exercise — it was a coherent step forward across the car's aerodynamic envelope.

Red Bull RB22: A New Sidepod Architecture

Red Bull arrived in Miami under particular scrutiny. After a difficult start to the season, the Milton Keynes-based team needed their upgrade to do more than merely close a gap — they needed it to re-establish the RB22 as a genuine contender. Toto Wolff himself acknowledged that Red Bull's package delivered a surprise "giant leap forward" in Florida.

The centrepiece of the development was a new sidepod specification — effectively the definitive version of a concept first introduced in Japan. But the visual redesign concealed something far more significant: a fundamental revision of the car's internal airflow architecture, incorporating extremely compact radiators.

Thermal Tolerance as an Aerodynamic Enabler

One of the emerging strengths of the Red Bull-Ford power unit appears to be its capacity to operate at very high temperatures without compromising reliability. This characteristic has given the aerodynamic department unusual freedom to rethink the car's aerodynamic maps and redistribute the load generated by the bodywork.

The evolution of the undercut was particularly noteworthy. The revised geometry enables more effective airflow behaviour beneath the sidepods towards the rear of the car, helping to divert turbulence generated by the rear wheels further outboard. Equally important was the decision to position the cooling inlet significantly further forward — a seemingly subtle change with substantial consequences. By doing so, Red Bull gained better control over the airflow travelling along the bodywork towards the rear, keeping it attached to the car and minimising unwanted vortex generation.

Rear-End Execution

At the rear, the concept was characterised by Red Bull's own interpretation of the "Macarena" solution, combined with a highly refined approach to exhaust blowing — with the exhaust outlet heavily angled downwards. The rear sidepod ramp, now steeply inclined, conceals a channel designed to generate a high-pressure zone ahead of the rear wheels, complementing the broader aerodynamic strategy.

The package represented a decisive shift in the RB22's development direction, and one that appeared to validate the team's analytical work in the wind tunnel and CFD suite. For a fuller picture of how these upgrades reshuffled the competitive order across the field, the team-by-team Miami upgrade breakdown provides essential context.

Three Teams, One Mission

While Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull each took a different engineering path in Miami, the common thread was unmistakable: all three teams were working towards the same objective — reducing the performance deficit to Mercedes, who have set the benchmark in 2026. The Miami packages, whatever their immediate competitive results, laid important foundations for the development race ahead.