As seen in the opening two Grands Prix of the year, the 2026 Formula 1 season represents a true all-encompassing revolution, affecting every aspect of on-track performance. Diego Ioverno, Ferrari’s Sporting Director, once again analyzed the complexities of this “year zero” for F1, emphasizing how adaptability and development speed will be the decisive factors in determining overall success.
“By the end of the season, the most successful team will very likely be the one that has developed the most in the shortest amount of time,” Diego Ioverno said. “2026 is a very particular year for Formula 1. We are changing all the regulations: chassis, tires, and sporting rules. It is therefore a complete reshuffle and a brand-new challenge for all teams.” Among these new challenges, one that is often overlooked—but no less complex—is pit stop execution.
Energy management: the puzzle between qualifying and race
This has already been discussed multiple times: one of the key elements of the new technical era lies in the management of energy flows within the power units, requiring a radically different strategic approach over a race weekend. Planning free practice sessions becomes essential to avoid being unprepared when it matters most.
“The behavior of the power unit is a key element of performance,” Diego Ioverno explained. “The energy you can store and the energy you can deploy during a lap is different between qualifying and the race. It will be very important to plan free practice sessions in such a way that you are prepared for both the qualifying scenario and the race scenario.”
Pit stop focus: drums, wheel rims, and wheel covers all change
The core operational challenge for Ferrari’s mechanics, however, lies in pit stop execution. It is not just about speed, but about adapting to geometries and components that have been significantly revised under the new regulations. Diego Ioverno highlighted technical details that may seem minor but have a major impact on the smoothness of tire changes.
“As far as pit stop execution is concerned, the challenge is a bit more complex due to some differences in layout, mainly in the angles,” revealed the Sporting Director of the Scuderia. “The geometry of the wheel drum and the rims themselves is slightly different compared to last year. The wheel cover has a different shape, and this requires a different approach.” – the Ferrari Ferrari Sporting Director concluded.
These structural changes force teams to carry out highly specific training sessions in order to automate the new movements and minimize the risk of mistakes. In a season where every tenth of a second lost in the pit lane will be extremely difficult to recover on track, even the smallest inefficiency could make a significant difference in race results.
Ferrari’s Diego Ioverno therefore sees the 2026 season as a race of constant adaptation, where even the mechanics must relearn their craft. Based on the content of his technical briefing, the success of the SF-26 at Suzuka and beyond will depend heavily on the precision of these redesigned wheel assemblies during high-pressure stops.
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