Ferrari Schedules Triple Track Program for April Break as Lewis Hamilton Targets Mercedes Power Unit Advantage

Scuderia Ferrari launches a busy April testing program at Monza, Mugello, and Fiorano to optimize the SF-26 engine and close the gap to Mercedes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 10:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

Capitalizing on the Five Week Calendar Gap

The sudden cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds has granted Formula 1 teams an unexpected five-week hiatus, a window that Scuderia Ferrari is moving aggressively to exploit. With the 2026 season effectively paused until the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, the Maranello-based squad has organized a three-part track program to refine its latest challenger. This period of high-intensity evaluation is critical for the team’s championship aspirations, as it allows engineers to gather real-world data outside the constraints of a standard race weekend. The break serves as a vital reset point for a season that has already seen significant shifts in the competitive hierarchy.

A Multi-Driver Evaluation at Mugello and Fiorano

The first phase of Ferrari’s April initiative began this Wednesday at Mugello with a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session. Reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi is sharing duties with Arthur Leclerc, brother of regular driver Charles Leclerc, as they put an older-specification chassis through its paces. Following this, Ferrari WEC standout Antonio Fuoco is expected to take over driving responsibilities on Thursday. The program will then shift to the team’s private Fiorano circuit on April 9-10 for a dedicated two-day artificial wet test. These sessions provide essential mileage for the team's support drivers while allowing the engineering department to correlate simulator data with physical track performance.

Strategic Filming Days and Partnership Promotion

Beyond technical development, Ferrari is set to utilize its first official filming day of the 2026 season at Monza on April 22. While the team’s post-launch outing in January was categorized as a demonstration event, this upcoming session allows for 200 kilometers of running with the current SF-26. The team is reportedly keen to generate fresh promotional content for its commercial partners, as current marketing materials remain limited to launch-day imagery. By choosing Monza, a circuit synonymous with high-speed performance and heritage, Ferrari aims to satisfy commercial obligations while simultaneously placing its 2026 car in a high-demand environment.