Ferrari has confirmed the dates and driver line-up for the private tests of the SF-26 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Italian team is preparing for the 2026 season with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton set to alternate during the test days, following the car’s official debut and shakedown on January 23 at Fiorano.
The SF-26 will be unveiled at Maranello on January 23, with both drivers taking part in a short shakedown — approximately 15 km, around 2 laps each. Ferrari has also been finalizing the new livery and sponsor stickers, while the assembly of the car is nearly complete. The team is now focused on preparing for a season-defining technical cycle that will shape the future of the Scuderia.
Barcelona private test schedule: Leclerc starts on January 27
According to AutoRacer.it, Ferrari’s private testing in Spain will run for three consecutive days, from Tuesday, January 27 to Thursday, January 29. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will share driving duties, alternating for half-day sessions to maximize track time and data collection.
The schedule for the SF-26 is as follows:
- Tuesday, January 27: Morning – Charles Leclerc; Afternoon – Lewis Hamilton
- Wednesday, January 28: Morning – Lewis Hamilton; Afternoon – Charles Leclerc
- Thursday, January 29: Morning – Charles Leclerc; Afternoon – Lewis Hamilton
Charles Leclerc will take the first session in the morning on Tuesday, handing over to the British driver for the afternoon. The rotation continues over the next two days, with each driver alternating to ensure both get balanced track time. Lewis Hamilton will close out the tests in the final afternoon session on Thursday.
Simulator work and shakedown preparation
In the days leading up to the Barcelona tests, Ferrari has been running extensive simulator sessions. Charles Leclerc spent time in the simulator today, while Lewis Hamilton had his session yesterday. These virtual runs are designed to help the drivers familiarize themselves with the car and fine-tune setup before hitting the track.
The shakedown at Fiorano will focus exclusively on verifying the core systems of the SF-26, including the engine, gearbox, hydraulics, electronics, and overall reliability. Weather conditions are expected to make the Fiorano track wet and cold, while Pirelli’s demo tires will not provide performance data, serving only to safely complete the initial runs.
In Spain, Ferrari’s primary goal will be to confirm that their fundamental technical choices are correct. This will lay the groundwork for the upgraded ‘B’ version of the SF-26, which is expected to appear at the Bahrain tests later, featuring revised bodywork and other performance updates.
