Ferrari 2026, engine breakthrough and 678 launch-spec version: F1 is hopeful
Ferrari has made a decisive technical choice for its 2026 Formula 1 project, focusing on the core of the new power unit after months of parallel development and careful evaluation in Maranello. According to sources, the team has definitively opted for steel cylinder heads, abandoning the aluminum alternative that had been explored during the early stages of development. This decision highlights the technical direction the Scuderia is taking in preparation for the next regulatory cycle of Formula 1.
Reliability at the core of the decision
The 2026 regulations will limit each driver to just four internal combustion engines over a 24-race season, a constraint that initially raised doubts about whether steel heads could guarantee the necessary reliability. For this reason, Ferrari had started developing an alternative aluminum solution, a material historically chosen for its lightness. However, in recent months, the situation changed dramatically. Thanks also to support from the Austrian technical partner AVL, specialized in engine development, Ferrari engineers reportedly solved the durability issues, leading the team to focus all resources on the steel solution, according to Motorsport.com.
Weight less critical, efficiency more important
With the increase in the minimum weight of the power unit from 120 to 150 kilograms under the 2026 rules, extreme lightness is no longer considered a top priority. In this context, steel provides fundamental advantages: it can withstand combustion pressures and temperatures never reached before, improving ignition efficiency despite the weight increase. Ferrari’s clear objective is to maximize the performance of the internal combustion engine in an era where energy management will be crucial.
Battery, cooling, and packaging
The 2026 project is not limited to cylinder heads. According to reports, Ferrari has also developed a new high-tech battery, more compact and lighter than previous generations. The new power unit will also require smaller radiators, opening interesting possibilities in terms of overall car packaging, a key element in the design of the new F1 car.
New suspension and significant departures
The 678 project, the internal name for the Ferrari 2026 car, is expected to adopt push-rod suspension at both the front and rear. This technical choice will mark a historic return: it will be the first Ferrari with rear push-rod suspension since 2010. At the same time, the Maranello engine department will experience important personnel changes. Zimmermann, head of ICE research and development since 2014, and his deputy Lars Schmidt are set to leave Ferrari to join Audi, where they will reunite with Mattia Binotto.
Testing and development: two versions of the 2026 Ferrari
The official debut of the new Ferrari is scheduled for January 23, just days before the closed-door tests in Barcelona. During this session, the Scuderia will field a “launch-spec” version, primarily aimed at accumulating mileage and validating structural choices. A second, more performance-oriented version is expected for the Bahrain tests in February, when attention will shift fully to pure on-track performance.
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