Ferrari officially began its 2026 Formula 1 campaign on Friday with the first on-track outing of the SF-26, carrying out a shakedown at the Fiorano test circuit that offered early technical clues about the new car Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will race under the radically revised regulations. Although the mileage was limited, the session provided valuable insight into Ferrari’s initial design philosophy and the direction the team has chosen for the start of the new regulatory cycle.
The Scuderia unveiled the SF-26 early on Friday morning before allowing Hamilton and Leclerc to take turns behind the wheel. Across the session, the two Ferrari drivers completed a combined total of five laps at Fiorano. Ferrari classified the outing as an official shakedown, which under Formula 1 regulations allows a maximum of 15 kilometres of running, primarily intended for system checks and installation verification rather than outright performance testing.
There was a brief moment of tension when Hamilton brought the car to a halt before completing a full lap of the circuit. However, Ferrari later clarified that this was a pre-planned stop, part of an installation procedure designed to confirm that all systems were operating correctly. Once this check was completed, both Hamilton and Leclerc were able to run two full laps each, remaining comfortably within the permitted distance.
Ferrari’s decision to place such emphasis on the SF-26 underlines just how heavily the team is investing in the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. The Scuderia is chasing its first drivers’ championship since 2007 and its first constructors’ title since 2008, and the new rule set represents a major opportunity to reset the competitive order. Formula 1 has introduced sweeping changes for 2026, covering power units, aerodynamics, chassis design, and tyres in what is widely regarded as the most extensive overhaul in the sport’s modern era.
One of the most notable aspects of the Fiorano shakedown was the immediate testing of Ferrari’s new active aerodynamic systems. Hamilton activated the adjustable front and rear wings on his very first lap, giving Ferrari an early opportunity to assess how its interpretation of active aero behaves on track. These systems have been introduced to prevent concerns that the new power units, which feature an almost equal split between electrical and internal combustion power, could suffer from energy depletion on certain circuits.
Beyond the active aero, the shakedown also hinted that Ferrari may have uncovered a potentially significant technical advantage with the SF-26. According to reports from RacingNews365, the car’s sidepod design suggests that Ferrari has achieved an exceptionally refined level of engine and internal component packaging, a factor that could have major performance implications once development accelerates.
The sidepods on the SF-26 feature high-positioned air intakes, a choice that immediately stood out during the Fiorano running. This layout, combined with an extremely compact external shape, points to extensive work on the packaging of the drivetrain, cooling systems, and radiators. If confirmed, such refinement could offer Ferrari important gains in aerodynamic efficiency and weight distribution, both of which are expected to be decisive under the 2026 regulations.
Further evidence of this refined packaging appeared at the rear of the car. The SF-26 displayed a notably narrow rear end, suggesting that Ferrari has placed significant emphasis on airflow management and on optimising how air is directed toward the diffuser. These characteristics often indicate confidence in internal layout and cooling efficiency, as tighter bodywork usually leaves less margin for thermal issues. However, Ferrari has been clear that the version of the car seen at Fiorano does not represent the final specification.
In fact, Ferrari already intends to move away from the sidepod design used during the early phase of the 2026 programme. The team does not plan to run a fully race-ready car during pre-season testing, instead using the Barcelona shakedown and the first of the two official Bahrain tests primarily as data-gathering exercises. This information will then be used to guide more substantial updates later in the build-up to the season, with Ferrari even considering delaying the reveal of its definitive specification until the opening race.
As part of this phased approach, Ferrari is expected to introduce multiple sidepod configurations before the first Grand Prix. A basic version will be used during the Barcelona running, followed by a more evolved design in Bahrain. A third and more advanced sidepod package is then planned for the season opener in Australia, scheduled for March 6–8. This strategy means that any early advantage suggested by the Fiorano shakedown may prove temporary, depending on how rivals respond and how effective Ferrari’s subsequent updates turn out to be.
Overall, Ferrari’s early running with the SF-26 reflects a clear priority on understanding the new regulations rather than chasing immediate performance headlines. With major changes to both the power unit and aerodynamic rules, the team is focused on collecting high-quality data across the Barcelona and Bahrain sessions to support its long-term development plan. Hamilton, in particular, is acutely aware of how demanding the new energy management requirements will be in 2026, and Ferrari’s methodical approach underlines the scale of the challenge that lies ahead as the Scuderia attempts to return to the top of Formula 1.
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