Ferrari to conduct 'secret test' during F1 break for cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Grands Prix
Ferrari are set to conduct a filming day to test out major upgrades for the SF-26 during the break caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
There was once again only room for one Ferrari on the Chinese Grand Prix podium, with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli winning the first F1 race of his career ahead of George Russell.
It was Lewis Hamilton who took the final step on the podium, finally ending his drought since joining the Scuderia from the silver arrows in 2025.
Charles Leclerc came home in fourth, beaten by Hamilton for just the fourth time in a grand prix as teammates.
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Ferrari were intending to run multiple upgrades in China, with the eye catching 'macarena' wing and halo winglets on the car for the first practice session.
However, the team opted against using the rear wing due to concerns with reliability, while the winglets were removed from the halo following the sprint due to FIA concerns over legality.
Ahead of the race in Shanghai it was confirmed that both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will be cancelled due to the hostile situation in the Middle East.
In a statement confirming the decision, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: "While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East."
Ferrari to test major upgrades in Monza
The cancellations mean there will be no races in April for the first time since 2020, and Ferrari have already made a plan to make the most of the upcoming break.
According to Autoracer, Ferrari will hit their home tarmac in Monza during the hiatus, as the team plan to test the first major evolutionary package for the SF-26 during a filming day.
Monza is the fastest circuit on the calendar, and according to the report the decision to host the test at the temple of speed is not simply due to its connection to Ferrari.
It is believed that Monza was chosen as the perfect track to help boost straight-line speed to compete with Mercedes due to it's significant and lengthy straights.
Speaking in Shanghai, Leclerc admitted the power Mercedes have on the straights is too much for Ferrari to challenge as it stands, particularly in qualifying.
“For some reason, the Mercedes power unit seems a step ahead in qualifying, we didn’t find that lap time just yet, but in the race, we are closer.”
Tom Jenkins