Ferrari is working relentlessly and without interruption on the development of its 2026 Formula 1 car, fully aware of how decisive the upcoming regulatory cycle will be for future competitiveness. At this stage of the project, there are increasingly clear confirmations regarding several fundamental parameters, including overall downforce levels, the mass of the car and how that mass becomes more difficult to manage during slower direction changes, as well as the actual effectiveness of simulator work following the update of the mathematical tyre model. Every department is currently focused on refining the single-seater as much as possible ahead of the January shakedown, an important milestone that will precede the official pre-season tests scheduled to take place in Barcelona.
Ferrari focuses on fully understanding the 2026 car
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will enjoy the winter break, but without losing sight of the work that still needs to be completed at the factory. Over the past few days, both Ferrari drivers have been present at the Maranello headquarters, dedicating long simulator sessions to the 2026 project. This is a situation that is unfolding across the entire Formula 1 grid, with all teams relying heavily on simulator activity, as drivers begin to study in detail the on-track behaviour of the next-generation cars in order to become familiar with the fundamental aspects of vehicle management.
The Ferrari drivers have therefore completed extensive simulator runs using the digital model of the upcoming car. One important point should be clarified immediately: the driving style required will not change completely compared to current cars, even though it will clearly need to be adapted to suit the new technical characteristics. It is already understood that the 2026 cars feature a different aerodynamic balance and mechanical response. Thanks to the advanced driver-in-the-loop systems now used by Ferrari, it is possible to test steering feedback, braking behaviour, and corner entry sensations, allowing drivers to build confidence and arrive at the circuit as prepared as possible.
The core objective of this simulator work is to optimise driving style based on the specific characteristics of the new generation of single-seaters. However, while the simulated environment already provides extremely valuable and detailed feedback, the model cannot yet be considered fully representative. It will only reach a higher level of accuracy after the first on-track tests, when the cars finally run in real conditions and extensive data collection allows the simulator to be updated and refined. Only at that point will it be possible to further improve the model and obtain feedback that more closely reflects real-world behaviour.
F1 2026, Ferrari: less downforce and different mass management in technical sections
From a broader technical perspective, the 2026 Formula 1 cars will display strengths that differ significantly from those of the current wing cars. As a result, these strengths will need to be exploited in a different manner compared to the 2025 single-seaters. Narrower tyres and reduced overall cornering performance are expected to lead to a substantial variation in vertical load levels. This change will also influence the general balance of the car, which will vary depending on the specific design philosophy adopted by Ferrari for its new project.
All of these parameters will inevitably trigger a cascade of additional changes. One clear example concerns suspension operation, with different stiffness levels and mechanical settings required to extract performance from the new aerodynamic platform. Similar considerations apply to braking balance, particularly during deceleration phases where stability and predictability will be crucial. There is also another key aspect closely linked to vehicle dynamics, namely the centre of gravity, which is expected to differ compared to current cars, even if not in a radical or extreme way.
According to information gathered and reported by the Italian media, Ferrari engineers and technicians have noted that the mass of the car during load transfers is perceived more strongly by the drivers, especially during slower direction changes and more technical sections of the track. This sensation is directly linked to the lower level of vertical force that presses the car onto the asphalt surface. When compared to the SF-25 single-seater, Ferrari estimates that the 2026 car will generate approximately 20% less downforce, a figure that has significant implications for driving approach, setup choices, and overall vehicle behaviour.
F1 2026, Ferrari: work on the new car’s tyres is progressing as planned
In addition, it is important to underline that at this stage of development, dedicating as much time as possible to the new operational procedures linked to the 2026 cars is absolutely essential. This is particularly true when it comes to understanding and mastering the behaviour of active aerodynamics, both in straight-line conditions and during cornering phases. Becoming comfortable with how these systems operate will be crucial for drivers looking to extract maximum performance from the car.
Another major area that requires careful attention is the management of the hybrid system and, equally important, the tyres. Tyre behaviour is expected to play a decisive role in the competitive order of the 2026 season. In this regard, more accurate models of the 2026 tyres are now available following the Abu Dhabi tests that took place at the end of the previous season. These tyres were recently tested by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during simulator sessions, allowing Ferrari to validate key parameters such as load sensitivity and thermal degradation of the compounds.
This process is helping the team to gradually understand how to treat and manage this crucial component in the most effective way. The challenge is further complicated by the fact that the 2026 tyres will feature a smaller overall contact patch compared to the 2025 specification. This reduction in surface area will inevitably influence grip levels, temperature management, and degradation patterns, making tyre preparation and race management even more critical.
Before the closed-door Barcelona testing session in January, the new Ferrari is expected to take to the track for a shakedown session. This initial outing will be used to gather a wide range of preliminary data, which will be essential in shaping the approach to the official test programme in Catalunya. Every kilometre completed during this phase will be valuable, as time is limited and must be maximised in every possible way. Ferrari is fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead for the Prancing Horse, with the clear objective of being competitive from the very beginning in the areas of the grid that truly matter.
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