The 2026 F1 regulations will change everything. Ferrari believes it has done solid work with the power unit, which will operate very differently compared to recent years. For this reason, the team has also placed great emphasis on the steering wheel, the main interface through which the driver communicates with the car—a system still under development, both in hardware and software.
Ferrari 2026: the regulatory reset extends to the cockpit
When discussing a technical revolution, attention usually focuses on the chassis, floor, and power unit. We have covered this extensively in recent weeks on our pages, with multiple analyses of Ferrari and the new challenges each team will face. However, there are other equally interesting considerations, particularly elements that received little attention until last season.
The Formula 1 steering wheel fully falls into this category. Maranello is pushing ahead aggressively. As we know, Loic Serra has chosen a very ambitious project for Ferrari, where assertiveness had to be an essential part of the plan. The steering wheel is one of the main components through which the driver interacts with the car, and for this reason, the Italian team has implemented several modifications.
The reasons for this approach are straightforward: with aerodynamics functioning differently and energy management from the power unit becoming much more complex, the cognitive load on the driver will increase exponentially. Managing both straight-line and cornering modes, as well as the hybrid system, requires focused attention from the driver.
The central role of the driver in the 2026 F1 project
Speaking with Nikolas Tombazis at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix, the former Ferrari engineer emphasized a clear point: the driver remains at the center of the project. While some functions will be automatic, the core responsibilities will remain firmly in the hands of the drivers. In this regard, it is worth noting that V6 energy deployment must be calibrated for every single section of the track to ensure hybrid support is always available.
This creates the need for Ferrari to simplify and consolidate functions on the central part of the steering wheel, using the traditional rotary dials. This solution streamlines operations, reducing the number of inputs required. Considering all the changes, it was important to make the driver’s work as simple as possible, improve muscle memory, and leave plenty of room for driving interpretation.
Ferrari 2026: ergonomics, active aerodynamics, and hybrid system
In the past, Lewis Hamilton noted that Ferrari’s steering wheel was extremely complex, with too many knobs, buttons, levers, and toggles. Learning to use it required a lot of energy. The 2026 F1 cars are smaller, and consequently, Ferrari’s wheel has been downsized, with a more ergonomic design and greater maneuvering space inside an increasingly tight cockpit.
Contrary to what some might think, these changes were not made to favor Lewis specifically, but to ensure both drivers could manage all the new requirements that the next regulatory cycle demands. There are many phases during a Grand Prix or qualifying session where full attention is required for driving. At the same time, the driver must interact with the wheel to optimize performance.
The Ferrari drivers contributed to the wheel’s development, which remains in a significant phase of evolution, even though the basic design is now defined. Track testing during pre-season will be crucial to confirm or refine this important component, which from next year must facilitate the drivers’ work as much as possible.
After the four days of testing in Catalunya, a study will be conducted to determine whether all modifications perform optimally on track, before any final adjustments are made to the layout ahead of Bahrain. In any case, the topic will remain open for much of the season, because in F1 2026, Ferrari intends for the steering wheel to maximize the drivers’ work throughout the year.
This is not only a hardware matter but also a software one, always aiming to optimize the pilot/car package. It will be fascinating to see the conclusions that emerge from the first on-track sessions, keeping in mind that Ferrari aims to refine every detail for the new regulatory cycle, leaving nothing to chance.
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