First lap insights: Ted Kravitz reacts to Lewis Hamilton in the 2026 Ferrari F1 car. Lewis Hamilton put Ferrari’s 2026 SF-26 through its first laps at Fiorano.

Ferrari SF-26: Lewis Hamilton’s first laps reveal active aero and a new engine sound, says Ted Kravitz

Ferrari officially unveiled their 2026 Formula 1 challenger, the SF-26, at Fiorano on Friday, ahead of Lewis Hamilton taking the car for its first shakedown at the iconic Maranello test track. The team is banking on the radical 2026 regulations to provide a genuine opportunity to return to winning ways. Ferrari have not won a drivers’ championship since Kimi Raikkonen’s title in 2007, nor a constructors’ championship since 2008, highlighting the long drought the Scuderia hopes to end.

The British driver had arrived at Maranello last season believing that Ferrari already possessed “every ingredient” necessary to contend for a title. However, team principal Fred Vasseur quickly acknowledged that 2025 would not deliver the success the team had hoped for. By April, the French manager made the strategic decision to halt development on the 2025 car and focus resources entirely on the 2026 project.

The upcoming season features the most significant overhaul of F1 regulations in recent history. Changes encompass engines, aerodynamics, chassis, and tyres. Power units now generate a near 50/50 split between electrical and combustion energy, run on sustainable fuels, and notably no longer feature the MGU-H component. Aerodynamic regulations were also tweaked to prevent drivers from running out of energy on power-hungry circuits or long straights, such as those at Monza, introducing active aero elements on both the front and rear wings that drivers can activate at designated track zones.
Hamilton wasted no time testing Ferrari’s active aero on the SF-26 during the Fiorano shakedown. This immediately drew the attention of Sky Sports F1 journalist Ted Kravitz, who observed the car closely as it made its first laps. Kravitz noted that Ferrari had made subtle changes to the car’s visual identity, including a larger white area on the engine cover compared to previous seasons. He also highlighted the rear wing opening, part of the active aero system mandated by the 2026 regulations, as the most striking feature visible during the initial laps.

Many fans also noticed the revised livery, drawing comparisons between Ferrari’s 2026 car and the SF16-H of 2016, a season in which Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen struggled to secure wins. The combination of the new design and historical references sparked extensive discussion across social media, with fans commenting on the subtle throwback elements of the paint scheme.

Beyond aesthetics, the sound of Ferrari’s new 2026 engine also caught Ted Kravitz’s attention. Removing the MGU-H has amplified the note of the internal combustion engine despite the added electrical output, creating a distinct, louder, and raspier sound. Kravitz explained that the change stems from the removal of the turbine component in the turbocharger system, which fundamentally alters the exhaust note and provides a crisper auditory experience. He noted that a similar transformation had been observed with other top teams, including Mercedes, but hearing it on Ferrari for the first time underscored the dramatic differences brought by the new power unit regulations.

In summary, Lewis Hamilton’s first laps in the SF-26 not only showcased the introduction of active aero but also highlighted Ferrari’s new visual identity and the sharper engine sound of the 2026 regulations, signaling a bold new chapter for the Scuderia as they prepare to challenge the top teams once again.