The countdown is on for the presentation of Ferrari’s new F1 car, scheduled for Friday, January 23. From Project 678 to the creation of the SF-26, the new car marks the beginning of a season that promises to be a true revolution. But what do we actually know about the new Red car? Strategies from team principal Frederic Vasseur, the clear technical signature of chassis director Loic Serra, and the determination of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to bounce back after a forgettable 2025 season all come into focus.
Ferrari: presentation on Friday – what we know about the SF-26
- Time is quickly running out ahead of the new F1 season, dubbed the “revolutionary season,” with numerous regulatory changes that could reshuffle the competitive order on track. But what kind of Ferrari will we see? Due to the highly uncertain regulatory revolution that all teams must navigate, the Maranello car remains something of an enigma at this stage.
- That said, there are a few constants and certainties that we can summarize here.
Project name and the new Maranello car
- We already know that the project behind the new car is called 678, while the car driven by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will be named SF-26, continuing the naming tradition of recent years. The engine, meanwhile, was fired up for the first time on January 16.
Loic Serra’s mark on the new Ferrari
- While the 2025 car ended up “without fathers,” as journalist Leo Turrini noted recently, due to the departure of technical director Cardile mid-project, this time there is a clear signature on the SF-26: Loic Serra.
Who is Loic Serra?
- Trained at Mercedes (and previously worked with Hamilton), Serra was born in Nancy on March 30, 1972. He studied in Paris, specializing in mechanical engineering, and began his career in the automotive industry with Michelin.
- In 2003, he focused on F1 R&D at Michelin, staying with the company until its exit from the sport in 2006. He then joined BMW Sauber F1 as Head of Vehicle Performance.
- In 2010, he moved to Mercedes, and in May 2024 it was announced that he would join Ferrari at the beginning of October as Technical Director Chassis.
Cars under the new rules
- Ferrari is not alone. In this season of regulatory revolution, all teams will have lighter cars, active aerodynamics, no ground effect, more powerful electric components in the power unit, and sustainable fuels.
What Ferrari must fix from 2025
- A new era begins both in terms of regulations and car design. But beyond adapting to the changes, Ferrari must address the shortcomings of last season:
- Difficulty getting the tires to work correctly.
- Lack of grip in certain conditions.
- Serra’s task, considering his background, will be to make significant improvements in vehicle dynamics.
Engineering changes: Adami no longer Hamilton’s race engineer
- Among the changes, Riccardo Adami will no longer serve as Hamilton’s race engineer. The team explained that “he has taken a new role within the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy as Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy and Test Previous Cars Manager.” Reports suggest that the relationship between Hamilton and Adami was often complicated. Ferrari has confirmed that the successor will be announced in due course.
Vasseur: “It will be the year of truth”
- Last season’s many rumors about his future may have affected his smile, but not his focus or determination to prove that Ferrari can be great again under his leadership. The 2026 season will be a revolution, especially for team principal Frederic Vasseur. Can he put together all the pieces of a puzzle that has been so challenging in recent years? As he told Sky, “It will be the year of truth.” For everyone.
Hamilton and Leclerc: the redemption operation begins
- The same goes for Ferrari’s drivers. Lewis Hamilton wants and needs to leave behind a first season that fell far below expectations with the Scuderia. Charles Leclerc also dreams of a competitive car, deserved for his talent—which has never been in doubt—and his loyalty to Maranello. The 2026 season will inevitably play a major role in their careers.
White on the livery?
- White, already present on last year’s livery, could appear more prominently on the 2026 Ferrari bodywork. The color is also more noticeable on the drivers’ suits compared to recent years—a hint of what we might discover in the coming hours? Very little time remains before we get definite answers.
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