F1 | Ferrari kick-start Charles Leclerc’s 2026 season with SF-26 seat fitting and early livery hints. Charles Leclerc completes his seat fitting with the Ferrari SF-26 .

Charles Leclerc has completed his seat fitting with the Ferrari SF-26, officially marking the start of the Monegasque driver’s 2026 season.

Ferrari have carried out the seat fitting with Charles Leclerc aboard the new SF-26. With this first test, the 2026 season of the Monegasque driver officially gets underway, ahead of his on-track debut scheduled for 23 January at Fiorano, when the car will be officially presented. After that, the Scuderia will fly to Barcelona for the winter tests planned at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

In the meantime, the first images of the car that will soon be officially unveiled are starting to emerge. The 2026 season represents a key year for Ferrari and for the future direction of the team. The performance of the new single-seater will also play a decisive role in shaping the future of both drivers. Leclerc continues to attract interest from Aston Martin, and a move to the British manufacturer cannot be completely ruled out for 2027.

Leclerc’s seat fitting

The Monegasque driver arrived in Maranello ready to take on the new Formula 1 season. Leclerc completed the seat fitting of the Ferrari SF-26, a car he will soon test on track during his first kilometres behind the wheel of the new machine. There is significant anticipation surrounding the performance level of the Scuderia, which has maintained a deliberately low profile throughout the winter break compared to last season.

The complete car will only be revealed on 23 January during the official launch event, but the first images already allow some details to be identified. In addition to the confirmation of white elements that has emerged in recent days, Ferrari may have decided to abandon the matte paint finish used in recent seasons. This would be a somewhat surprising choice, given the weight challenges faced by this generation of Formula 1 cars.

This first technical meeting between driver and machine sets the stage for what Ferrari hopes will be a championship-winning partnership. As the team moves from the workshop to the track, the focus remains on whether the SF-26 can deliver the consistency and raw speed that has been missing in recent title fights. For Leclerc, this season is about more than just points; it is about proving that his future belongs in Maranello before the 2027 “silly season” truly takes flight.