Ferrari SF-26: first insights into the new technical solutions. Ferrari teases technical solutions on the SF-26.

The 2026 Formula 1 season is ready to kick off, with teams gradually revealing their cars ahead of the first winter testing session starting on Monday, January 26, in Barcelona. In reality, the season has effectively been underway for several months for most teams, as much of their financial and technical resources have already been devoted to the 2026 cars, born from a major technical revolution both aerodynamically and on the power unit side since mid-2025. Among these teams, of course, is Ferrari, which has been working at full speed on the future SF-26 for about a year, even conducting technical experiments on track during the last race weekend of the previous season.

Many experiments…

During FP1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari put Arthur Leclerc on track, as allowed by the regulations for a rookie session, following a work program focused on 2026. The goal was to collect data and validate the correlation between simulator and on-track performance for the development of the new car.

But that wasn’t all. Ferrari also tested a new steering wheel, a move revealed by insiders and logically aimed at validating the system for the 2026 car. The design is similar to that of the Hypercar 499P, the WEC Constructors’ and Drivers’ champion. This steering wheel is intended to allow optimal management of electric energy, a crucial factor for the new power units, which will see over 50% of their power coming from electric propulsion.

The spoiler arrives

What until recently were mere speculations now seem confirmed. Through its official accounts, Ferrari shared images of Charles Leclerc’s seat test. The photos reveal details that could provide hints about the car’s livery and some technical choices for the SF-26.

Among these, confirming earlier reports, is the steering wheel that will equip the new Ferrari. From what has been observed, it is the new specification, like the one tested at the end of last season, featuring differences in the arrangement of knobs for various functions, as well as in overall shape and ergonomics. In short, small details offered to fans while they await the official presentation of the new car, scheduled for Friday, January 23.