FIA stewards took action early at the Miami Grand Prix, issuing a minor penalty to Charles Leclerc and Ferrari during the opening practice session of the sprint weekend.
Leclerc, driving Ferrari’s upgraded SF-26, was caught exceeding the pit lane speed limit in FP1. With only one practice session scheduled due to the sprint format, Friday’s running was extended to 90 minutes to give teams more time to set up their cars. While pushing to maximize track time ahead of sprint qualifying, Leclerc was clocked 1.4 km/h over the 80 km/h limit.
After reviewing the incident, FIA officials determined the breach was minimal. Ferrari received a €200 fine, with no additional sporting punishment handed down. Leclerc escaped harsher sanctions like a grid penalty or time deduction because the infringement happened during practice and was only slightly over the limit.
The timing is key for Ferrari, who arrived in Miami second in the constructors’ standings. With the sprint weekend offering up to 58 points, the team views this round as a big chance to cut the gap to rivals.
Much of the focus around Ferrari in Miami centers on their heavily updated car. The SF-26 features an extensive upgrade package with 11 official changes aimed at boosting aerodynamic performance and consistency.
Up front, Ferrari has tweaked the wing endplate and front corner to improve airflow stability. Front suspension changes are designed to increase load and better direct air toward the rear of the car. But the most important updates are under the car, where the floor body, edges, and diffuser have been reworked to generate more downforce across a wider range of conditions.
There are further changes at the rear too. Suspension adjustments help manage airflow into the diffuser, and Ferrari has introduced a new rear wing concept nicknamed the “macarena.” This design adds aerodynamic drag when active aero is engaged and includes revisions to the mainplane, flap, and support structures.
While Leclerc’s penalty was minor, it’s a reminder of how strictly F1 rules are enforced. Ferrari will now shift focus to getting the most out of their upgraded package as the weekend’s competitive sessions begin.
With sprint qualifying and the sprint race still to come, the team will be hoping the new parts deliver the performance gains they need. For Leclerc, avoiding any further issues will be critical as he looks to capitalize on Ferrari’s updates and fight at the front in Miami.
