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Just days after the Japanese Grand Prix, Ferrari is heading back on track. With the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix cancelled, the enforced pause in the calendar has given the Scuderia an opportunity to intensify its development programme through a series of carefully structured test sessions.
Ferrari’s test team will begin a two-day TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme at Mugello. Notably, none of the race drivers will be present at the Scuderia’s home circuit. Instead, the workload will fall to the simulator drivers who play a central role in the car’s development process.
Antonio Giovinazzi, Arthur Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco will rotate behind the wheel in what represents a valuable training and evaluation session. Their work will provide continuity between simulator correlation and on-track data collection at a crucial stage of the season.
With the introduction of the 2026 regulations, the new-generation single-seaters have nothing in common with the previous ground-effect cars. In response, the FIA has authorised teams to use last year’s machinery for TPC programmes. Ferrari will therefore run the SF-25, its 2025 car, rather than being restricted to cars that are at least two years old, as was previously mandatory.
Following the Mugello outing, Ferrari will move to Monza for its second filming day. According to reports, the selected date is Tuesday, April 21.
The choice of the "Temple of Speed" is strategic. Within the 200 kilometres permitted under filming day regulations, the SF-26 will be evaluated on one of the most demanding tracks for energy recovery. The session will involve race drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
While officially a commercial filming event, the day carries clear technical significance. Ferrari intends to assess progress in energy recovery systems and aerodynamic development, using the limited mileage to gather targeted performance insights.
The much-discussed “Macarena” wing will be part of the aerodynamic package. It is set to debut in Miami when the championship resumes on 3 May, making the Monza session an important preparatory step.
Ferrari’s schedule also includes a Pirelli wet-weather tyre test at Fiorano on 9 and 10 February, a session that had previously been postponed.
Taken together, these outings underline how Ferrari is leveraging an unexpected break in the calendar. From simulator-linked TPC running at Mugello to focused aerodynamic and energy recovery evaluations at Monza, the Scuderia is using every available kilometre to prepare for the next phase of the season.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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