Ferrari and McLaren to Launch Attack on Mercedes at Zandvoort

Ferrari and McLaren are bringing fresh upgrades to Zandvoort as the season resumes, each targeting Mercedes' benchmark pace. Ferrari is introducing an evolved floor for the SF-26, while McLaren will run a new MCL40 floor that completes its Hungary package. The moves signal a renewed development push from two of F1’s leading challengers.

Why it matters:

Closing the gap to Mercedes is now urgent. Zandvoort’s twisty layout makes it an ideal test for Ferrari’s aerodynamic gains, while McLaren must extract consistent performance from a car that has shown winning pace but remains tricky to balance. With Ferrari also readying a power unit update for Monza, the standings could tighten quickly.

The details:

• Ferrari's floor: The Zandvoort update evolves the Barcelona package. Originally scheduled for later, the team accelerated production after contrasting Austria and Silverstone data. The focus is generating more downforce through the bodywork for circuits where top speed matters less.
• Rapid turnaround: Ferrari pushed the parts into production before the summer shutdown, underscoring its development speed.
• Monza engine: Ferrari is holding its updated power unit until Monza. A larger-diameter turbine should improve straight-line pace, but Maranello accepts the deficit to Mercedes HPP and Red Bull Powertrains will not fully close until 2027.
• McLaren's move: McLaren is also bringing a new floor to complete its Hungary package. Engineers acknowledge the MCL40’s short wheelbase cannot be fixed mid-season, making setup balance difficult. Still, they believe the latest updates will finally unlock untapped potential.

What's next:

Zandvoort will show whether Ferrari’s hurried floor work delivers lap time on a track that rewards grip. A strong weekend would build momentum for Monza, where the new engine could turn the SF-26 into a real threat. McLaren must prove Hungary was no one-off despite its chassis limits. Either way, Mercedes faces a sustained two-pronged challenge as the calendar winds down.