Ferrari to Launch Strategic SF-26 Filming Day During Five-Week April Break to Narrow Mercedes Power Gap

Ferrari will hold a filming day during the F1 April break, likely at Monza. Lewis Hamilton seeks to close the power unit gap to Mercedes before the Miami GP.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

Capitalizing on the Spring Calendar Void

The sudden cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix has left a significant five-week vacuum in the 2026 Formula 1 schedule, stretching from the end of March to early May. Ferrari intends to utilize this downtime by activating one of its two permitted 200-kilometer filming days with the SF-26. While officially designated for commercial partner content, the timing of the test is highly strategic, allowing the team to gather real-world data outside of the restrictive race-weekend format following podium finishes for Charles Leclerc in Melbourne and Lewis Hamilton in Shanghai.

Monza Emerges as the Tactical Frontrunner

While Ferrari is officially evaluating several European venues, internal reports suggest Monza is the preferred location for the upcoming run. As the fastest circuit on the calendar, Monza provides an ideal environment to stress-test the SF-26’s energy management systems under high-speed conditions. The long straights of the Italian "Temple of Speed" will allow engineers to monitor how the 2026 power unit handles sustained deployment, a factor that has become a primary concern for the Scuderia as they attempt to chase down the early-season pace of Mercedes.

Closing the Straight-Line Deficit to Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton, who secured his first Ferrari podium in Shanghai, has been vocal about the performance gap currently separating the SF-26 from the Mercedes-powered cars. Following the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton noted that Mercedes appears to have a significant advantage in Energy Storage Management (ESM) and deployment, suffering far less "de-rating" at the end of long straights. The filming day will serve as a critical diagnostic session, helping the technical team in Maranello understand how to eke out more efficiency from their engine to match the silver arrows' top-end speed.