Ferrari introduced a new package of upgrades for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, featuring modifications to the floor 'fingers' and sidepods. The team brought updates to the floor edges, sidepod inlets, and the diffuser to improve rear airflow and consistency. Despite the changes, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc downplayed their significance, with Hamilton suggesting the gains are worth "less than a tenth" and Leclerc calling them "a small step in the right direction."
The technical focus is on energizing airflow to the rear of the car to help the diffuser work harder. Ferrari extended the outermost floor finger to improve airflow quality. While the immediate lap time improvement may be small, the updates aim to create a more stable aerodynamic platform and serve as a foundation for future regulations changes, particularly with the number of floor fingers set to reduce next season.
In opening practice, Charles Leclerc set the fastest time, though Max Verstappen's benchmark was deleted for track limits. The upgrades highlight Ferrari's strategy of enhancing existing aerodynamic properties to minimize lap time variance rather than chasing large, immediate gains.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing