Ferrari is shifting its approach for the 2026 car, introducing significant changes in Maranello regarding project secrecy. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have already given their first impressions of the car after testing the latest simulator version.
The Prancing Horse is preparing for 2026 with a fresh strategy, prioritizing confidentiality across Maranello’s departments. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have shared initial feedback on the Ferrari that has been updated in its most recent simulator iteration.
Previously, we reported that the new Ferrari will bring a revolution not seen in years. The chassis will receive FIA homologation in the coming weeks, with crash tests scheduled early due to the planned track debut in the last week of January. Loic Serra, the Technical Director, is pursuing an aggressive design development strategy. The French engineer has decided that both the front and rear suspensions will be push-rod, a solution that will strongly reappear on 2026 cars at the front and, for Ferrari, also at the rear.
It has been since 2010 that Ferrari made such a choice. The dual pull-rod setup did not deliver the expected results on the SF-25. The mechanical component will therefore be pushed to the limit to influence aerodynamics, similar to McLaren’s approach with the MCL39. The rear suspension design will also be entirely new, with the launch specification already ready. Fréd Vasseur will have the final say on technical decisions, but according to AutoRacer.it, his role goes beyond simple supervision. The car will therefore have more than one “father,” reflecting extensive changes not only in technical approach but also in organizational structure. The first driver impressions of the new Ferrari in the simulator have now emerged.
Less communication, more secrecy, and first impressions from Leclerc and Hamilton
According to AutoRacer.it, the Ferrari 2026 is being developed in silence. The Sports Management team is now more closed-off, introducing a revolution in internal organization and mindset. In recent years, Maranello’s culture emphasized high communication and information sharing between departments. That is no longer the case, with data strictly confidential, access limited, and information shared on a need-to-know basis. This division will only consolidate once the project is complete. For now, the engine and aerodynamics departments remain the most “secretive.” Diego Tondi, Head of Aerodynamics, is exploring broad concepts, especially regarding the active wings we will see in 2026.
No one currently has a complete vision of the car. Enrico Gualtieri’s work on the Power Unit will be crucial, with key information such as combustion, pressure, and energy flows tightly controlled and inaccessible. Naturally, there have been challenges, but there is no concern regarding the upcoming regulation changes.
Finally, Leclerc and Hamilton tested the latest version of Project 678 in the simulator last week. From Wednesday to Friday, where the seven-time world champion spent two full days, feedback emerged that confirms approval of the progress made so far. The Ferrari launch could happen around January 20, and the production of parts, including spares for the launch specification that will debut in the new season, is already underway.
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