Ferrari 678 progress report: 2026 F1 power unit assembly begins and chassis take shape. Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car, the 678, is taking shape.

Ferrari, project 678 takes shape: first components of the power unit arrive

Even before the 2025 World Championship, which just concluded in Abu Dhabi, could be fully archived, F1 teams are already turning their attention to 2026, a season defined by the debut of cars built under the new technical regulations. These cars will show differences not only aerodynamically but, if not more importantly, in terms of power units. Unlike previous years, 2026 is not expected to have automatic favorites due to the so-called “blank sheet” effect, which will reshuffle the cards and give every team a chance to compete at the top. Among the teams hoping to make the most of this change is Ferrari, which, after 18 years without a world title, aims to field a competitive car and return to fighting for, if not winning, the championship.

Ideas, courage, and timing

For this reason, the Scuderia is working at full speed on the new car. On the power unit side, it is known that Enrico Gualtieri’s engineers experimented with innovative ideas, such as a steel cylinder head, later abandoned in favor of traditional aluminum solutions. The goal was to achieve, given the pressures and temperatures involved, reliability and power levels that the first solution could not guarantee. Despite the engine team’s efforts, various sources indicate that at least at the start of the year, Ferrari’s power unit will be behind Mercedes, widely regarded as the benchmark. Aerodynamically, Loic Serra and Diego Tordi’s teams appear to have refined solutions allowing the 678 to feature compact, tapered radiator masses, maximizing efficiency. With a generation of cars powered 50% by electric engines, aerodynamic efficiency will be crucial for optimal energy management.

The 678 takes shape

Work on the 678 is reportedly on schedule. Last week, the car’s chassis was homologated after passing the crash test at the ACI center in Bollate. Furthermore, according to our sources close to the Scuderia, the first power units (albeit incomplete or without accessories) are leaving the engine department to start the car assembly. Most likely, following chassis validation and power unit production already underway, the 678 has already begun taking shape in the “Vehicle Assembly” department with the power unit being joined to the chassis. A first fire-up is expected between the end of December and early January, while additional components continue to arrive to complete the car ahead of its presentation, likely shortly after mid-January. This will prepare the car for Barcelona, where winter testing begins on January 26, marking the start of a new era for F1 and, hopefully, for Ferrari.

For Ferrari fans the message is clear: the Maranello team that has carried the weight of expectation for almost two decades is treating 2026 like the once-in-a-generation chance it is. Project 678 is no longer just drawings and simulations – it is metal, carbon and hope, already taking shape under the Maranello lights.