A new technical detail has emerged about Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 car, which will introduce a groundbreaking and unconventional solution inspired by a past single-seater from Maranello’s history. The Scuderia’s engineers already have their sights firmly set on the new regulatory era, knowing that starting strong in 2026 will be crucial after so many years without a world championship title.
The new generation of cars will make their debut in January during private testing sessions in Spain. With only a few months remaining, the development process is entering its final stages. While little is publicly known about Ferrari’s 2026 machine—codenamed Project 678—it’s understood that work on the chassis is already at an advanced stage and nearing production. However, an intriguing technical innovation has now been revealed concerning the car’s suspension layout.
Ferrari 2026 will feature an extreme suspension layout
Throughout the current season, the topic of suspension has been at the center of attention since the very first race in Melbourne, where it became evident that the main weakness of the SF-25 was in that very area. Even the major upgrade introduced at Spa-Francorchamps was not enough to rescue Ferrari from a below-par campaign, and it now seems almost certain that the team will abandon its current suspension philosophy for 2026.
Unlike rivals Red Bull and McLaren, Ferrari currently uses a pull-rod suspension both at the front and rear. According to Autoracer, the technical department in Maranello has decided to adopt a push-rod layout for the rear suspension in 2026, featuring an extremely aggressive geometry similar to that of its leading competitors.
The revolutionary nature of this decision lies in the fact that Ferrari has consistently employed a pull-rod configuration at the rear of all its Formula 1 cars for the past fourteen seasons. The last Ferrari to feature a push-rod rear suspension dates all the way back to 2011.
Why revolutionize the rear suspension?
This move is undeniably bold, as the suspension system is one of the most crucial and sensitive areas of an F1 car, playing a decisive role in its overall dynamics. The main reason behind this change is aerodynamic efficiency. The rear suspension sits in a highly complex aerodynamic zone—near the rear wing, diffuser, and the tail section of the car—where managing airflow efficiently is absolutely vital.
The new push-rod layout allows for a cleaner and more open airflow path through the rear end of the car, as the repositioned suspension arms free up space that would otherwise disrupt the aerodynamics. This, in turn, can generate more consistent downforce and improve the overall aerodynamic balance. Beyond the aerodynamic advantages, this configuration will also allow for a more efficient management of the car’s platform, which will be crucial under the new load distribution expected from the 2026 generation of cars.
In practical terms, this means the aerodynamic department will have greater freedom to pursue more aggressive bodywork concepts, taking full advantage of the benefits offered by the revised suspension geometry. With the combination of mechanical and aerodynamic innovation, Ferrari aims to close the gap to its main rivals and return to consistent competitiveness.
The team led by technical director Loïc Serra appears highly motivated as it prepares for this new era. Ferrari simply cannot afford to make mistakes in this critical transition. The new Project 678 will carry the responsibility of leading the Scuderia back to the top—either by claiming the world championship that has eluded the team since 2008 or, at the very least, by fighting consistently at the sharp end of the Formula 1 grid.
