Can Charles Leclerc ATTACK Mercedes with the new Upgrades?

TL;DR

Ferrari's Miami upgrade package — including a new floor and 'Macarena' rear wing — aims to close the power gap to Mercedes and give Leclerc a title shot.

Key Points

• 1.Leclerc has just 8 wins despite being considered the best titleless driver on the grid. Ferrari's strategy blunders, including the infamous Monaco call-in/stay-out error, have cost him at least a dozen additional victories.
• 2.Ferrari's core weakness in 2025 is a power deficit on straights. Despite having the strongest car through corners, their engine and battery deployment lag behind the Mercedes units powering both McLaren and the works Mercedes team.
• 3.The Miami upgrade package centers on a new floor for extra downforce and the 'Macarena' active rear wing. The wing moves during active aero deployment and is estimated to be worth around three tenths of a second at some circuits.
• 4.Ferrari's upgrade history is littered with failures that raise scepticism. The 2022 TD039 directive killed their pace, the 2023 car had tire degradation and wind sensitivity issues, and a 2024 Spanish GP floor upgrade reintroduced bouncing so badly they reverted to the old spec.
• 5.Mercedes is bringing minimal upgrades to Miami, which tilts the competitive balance toward Ferrari. If the package works, Ferrari could leapfrog Mercedes from Miami onwards — though reliability and rear stability under braking remain unresolved questions.