In his letter to Exor shareholders, Ferrari President John Elkann emphasized the team’s “responsibility and determination to come back stronger” in Formula 1, acknowledging that ambitions haven’t been met. With a 30-race winless streak (excluding Hamilton’s Sprint victory in China 2025) dating back to the 2024 Mexican GP, the anticipation for a win is palpable. Yet, for Suzuka, there are reasons for cautious optimism.
Agility in Corners
While Mercedes has dominated the season’s start with victories in Australia and China, showcasing a clear straight-line speed advantage, the Ferrari SF-26 boasts superior cornering agility. This trait, including quicker throttle application on corner exit, has even been acknowledged by George Russell as the best among top teams. Suzuka’s demanding figure-eight layout, with its 18 challenging corners, could be the ideal stage for the Scuderia to leverage its strengths and challenge the Silver Arrows’ dominance.
Explosive Starts
Another key strength for Ferrari is its exceptional starting capability. Thanks to a smaller turbo providing immediate power delivery, the SF-26s have demonstrated blistering starts, allowing Leclerc and Hamilton to take early leads in the Australian and Chinese GPs. Suzuka, an “old school” circuit known for being narrow and unforgiving, makes track position at the start crucial. Unlike Shanghai, overtaking opportunities are limited, so a strong start could seriously complicate things for Mercedes right from the first sector.
The “Macarena” Wing
Finally, there’s anticipation for the introduction of the “Macarena” rear wing. While Charles Leclerc downplayed its overall impact on the pecking order, this innovation is expected to offer a dual benefit: reduced drag on straights and subsequent battery energy savings for use elsewhere. The “Macarena” wing, which flips its profile 270 degrees with active aerodynamics, increases top speed by a few kilometers per hour by improving aerodynamic efficiency and expanding the airflow from the diffuser. Maranello hopes these combined advantages will be enough to challenge Mercedes.