Ferrari to unleash major Miami upgrade package: all you need to know

Formula 1 has returned to action at the Miami International Autodrome following a five-week hiatus, and the paddock has not been idle. According to the official FIA disclosures document, every team on the grid—with the notable exception of Aston Martin—has delivered at least one new development for the Miami Grand Prix.

Ferrari's aggressive push

The mammoth eleven-part package is headlined by a reprofiled front floor and floor edge, alongside a heavily revised rear section. The SF-26 now features a new diffuser, a reprofiled front suspension, a new rear suspension, and an updated beam wing. Furthermore, Ferrari has introduced changes to the rear wing—including the endplate—and the rear tail of the car. Further forward, a new front corner and a revised front wing endplate complete the comprehensive overhaul.

Red Bull and McLaren respond

Not to be outdone, Red Bull has arrived with one of the most obviously refined packages of the weekend. The Laurent Mekies-led squad has introduced seven upgrades to the RB22, including considerable changes to the sidepods.

The team has brought a new front wing, front corner, engine cover, floor, and rear corner. Crucially, Red Bull's radical Miami upgrades also feature their own answer to Ferrari's inventive "Macarena" rear wing, which is expected to be evaluated during free practice. In addition to the aerodynamic tweaks, the team is believed to have shaved around 6kg off the car's weight.

McLaren, meanwhile, teased a brand new MCL40 ahead of the Floridian round. The constructors' champions have ported seven updates to their challenger, featuring a comprehensive reworking of the bodywork. A revised front corner, engine cover, and sidepods are joined by a new floor body, rear corner, and rear wing—all aimed at increasing load and improving flow conditioning. To combat the oppressive Miami heat and humidity, the Woking-based squad has also introduced circuit-specific cooling louvres.

Mercedes plays the long game

While their rivals have brought sweeping changes, championship leaders Mercedes have opted for a relatively modest approach in Miami, bringing just two upgrades to the W17. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will utilize repositioned tailpipes—designed to reduce drag and improve downforce response—alongside a new front corner. More substantial developments are expected from the team at the subsequent round in Canada.

Down the grid: Alpine, Cadillac, and the rest

The midfield and lower order have also been busy during the spring break:

• Cadillac: The squad has brought nine upgrades to the Sunshine State, focused on increasing performance and aiding ride height sensitivities. A movement and profile change of the mirror stays aims to provide better structural integrity to a previously problematic area.
• Williams: The FW48 features seven new parts, primarily consisting of various bodywork updates.
• Racing Bulls: Sporting a special livery on the VCARB 03, the team has also applied six enhancements to the car.
• Alpine: The French outfit has updated the front corner and adjusted the nose camera mounts. The rear suspension has been reprofiled, and an additional element has been added to the rear impact structure. Pierre Gasly will test a new rear wing in the extended Free Practice 1 session, while Franco Colapinto receives a new chassis. "Expanding on the information in the FIA Car Presentation document related to new parts the team has brought to this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, it includes a number of aerodynamic components, as well as the team introducing a new chassis," Alpine confirmed. "The latest chassis for Franco forms part of the intended development programme for the season."
• Audi: The team has reworked the front suspension, floor edge, and diffuser.
• Haas: The VF-26 features an amended diffuser, with a device added to the floor winglet to increase local aerodynamic downforce.
• Aston Martin: The AMR26 is conspicuously the only car without any updates for the Miami weekend.

With such a vast array of new components up and down the pit lane, the Miami Grand Prix promises to be a crucial test of which teams have maximized their time away from the track.