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Ferrari split Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton aero setups as SF-26 balance search continues

Ferrari sent Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with two different aerodynamic configurations on the SF-26 as the team continued searching for the best compromise between straight-line speed, rear stability and overall balance. Charles Leclerc retained…

Published: Monday, 28 September 2026 at 1:52 PM
Ferrari split Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton aero setups as SF-26 balance search continues
Key Things to Know
  • Ferrari ran split aerodynamic setups on the SF-26 for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
  • Lewis Hamilton switched to a three-element bargeboard to stabilize the car's rear, while Charles Leclerc retained a single-element version.
  • Mercedes driver George Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Ferrari used two different aerodynamic configurations on the SF-26 during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to address balance and stability issues. Charles Leclerc drove with a lower-downforce bargeboard specification with a single vertical element, while Lewis Hamilton adopted a three-element version aimed at stabilizing the rear. The split setup produced no major breakthrough for either driver at Baku.

Despite ongoing struggles to match Mercedes and fend off Red Bull and McLaren, team principal Frédéric Vasseur noted Ferrari extended its margin for second in the Constructors' Championship. George Russell won the race for Mercedes, while Ferrari holds a 72-point advantage over McLaren as the team anticipates a final 2026 upgrade package in Austin.

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