The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship is just around the corner, and the first Barcelona tests will mark the initial contact with the new generation of cars. However, what we will see on track will only be provisional versions of the real projects.
There will be a surprise at the first Barcelona test session. The Ferrari SF-26 will not be the version that will race in Australia. In fact, almost all the cars that take to the track during the opening tests will not represent the true configuration that will make its season debut. Formula 1 teams will run simplified versions of their new cars, and Ferrari has made the same decision. This approach is primarily aimed at understanding reliability and gathering baseline data.
Why not show everything straight away?
This has now become a well-established strategy in seasons marked by major regulatory changes. Revealing innovations too early means risking being copied by rivals, and Ferrari prefers to work quietly. These tests are about covering mileage, not impressing the public.
The most sensitive aerodynamic surfaces will be simplified. Hidden elements will include the front wing, the nose, and the entire floor, including the floor entry and the diffuser. According to reports from newsf1.it, Ferrari has already put into production several key bodywork components of the SF-26 that will debut in races. These include the aerodynamic “bazookas”, a new floor, the floor inlet, the bargeboard area, and the front wing.
Ferrari’s technical choice
First of all, the so-called “bazookas” are an aerodynamic concept that has returned to the spotlight. In the past, they were seen on cars such as Mercedes and later Red Bull. Ferrari is now bringing them back, adapting the concept to the 2026 regulations. However, the fact that they are already in production does not mean they will be visible during testing.
The floor and the bargeboard area remain among the most closely guarded parts of the SF-26. A large portion of the car’s aerodynamic load is generated through these elements.
In short, the SF-26—and likely most of the cars seen in testing—will not be the versions that race in Australia. The definitive specification will arrive later, more developed and more aggressive.
