Ferrari technical director Loic Serra has described a significant change of direction inside the team’s technical department, with the SF-26 becoming the first Formula 1 car that can truly be considered an expression of the new engineering group under his leadership. Ferrari’s willingness to explore unconventional solutions has already produced concepts that rival teams have taken as a reference, while Serra believes a “virtuous circle” has now developed throughout Maranello’s design and production structure.
The beginning of Formula 1’s new regulatory cycle has coincided with Loic Serra taking full responsibility for Ferrari’s aerodynamic and chassis departments. The French engineer had already replaced Enrico Cardile during the design process for the 2025 car, but by that point many of the fundamental choices behind that project had already been extensively defined.
The SF-26 is the first full expression of Loic Serra’s Ferrari technical era
The SF-26 is therefore the first Ferrari that can genuinely be considered the product of the new technical direction. Its significance goes beyond results alone. Several engineering and design choices introduced by Maranello have subsequently been taken as references elsewhere on the grid, underlining Ferrari’s renewed willingness to innovate rather than simply follow established Formula 1 trends.
Among the most notable examples are the FTM winglet positioned around the exhaust, which is already set to be outlawed for the next championship, and Ferrari’s much-discussed ‘Macarena’ movable rear wing. With concepts such as these, the technical department led by Loic Serra has demonstrated an ability to innovate and surprise during the opening phase of the new regulations.
Loic Serra: Ferrari has created a ‘virtuous circle’ in SF-26 development
“The adoption of new regulations leaves, at least in the initial phases, greater room for initiative before, by the end of a regulatory cycle, the technical side tends to level off,” Loic Serra explained in an interview with Alessandro Gargantini for Autosprint.
Asked about Ferrari’s solutions being copied during this phase of the regulations, Loic Serra preferred to highlight the work of the people behind those ideas rather than take personal credit.
“Ferrari being copied at this stage? More than for myself, I’m happy for the people who had the ideas that we then developed. A virtuous circle has been created internally, which is very important throughout the entire development and production chain. I don’t want to take credit; teamwork is the most beautiful part of this job.”
Loic Serra also resisted the suggestion that Ferrari had fundamentally changed the way it works compared with the recent past.
“I wouldn’t say, however, that compared with the recent past the team has changed its approach. In fact, I believe all teams can only work in these terms.”
The technical progress has helped make the Ferrari SF-26 one of Maranello’s most competitive recent Formula 1 projects, but Loic Serra does not want conclusions to be drawn before the 2026 season has run its course.
Ferrari refuses to judge the new technical direction too early
Comparisons with previous Ferrari seasons are something Loic Serra would rather avoid, particularly while the verdict on the current championship remains incomplete.
“Now we’re only halfway through the season. I wouldn’t make comparisons, but rather wait to see where we are at the end of the year. We knew that we would have to make a car with a wide development margin this year, given that there are new regulations.”
That development potential remains central to Ferrari’s programme as engineers continue exploring a technical framework that is still relatively new to every Formula 1 team.
“And now we still find ourselves in the development phase, so everything is very dynamic. There is still a lot to discover and we have to continue to have an open mind and a lot of curiosity in understanding how to constantly improve the car.”
Loic Serra again played down his individual influence when asked whether his arrival had been decisive for Ferrari.
“My presence being decisive within the team? Honestly, I don’t think individuals make the difference, and that applies in my case as well. I don’t think anything can be specifically attributed to me… We work, win and lose as a team, which takes precedence over individuality.” – the French engineer pointed out.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton give Ferrari similar development feedback
Ferrari has already won twice in 2026 after failing to record a victory during the previous season. However, Loic Serra believes race wins alone are not the appropriate measure for assessing whether the technical organisation is working effectively.
“Two wins in 2026 compared with zero last season? Yes, but I repeat that you cannot compare the two things because everything is relative. Wins are not a factor that we control directly, but we measure the effectiveness of what we bring in terms of developments. We are the benchmark by which we assess our own work.”
The fact that the SF-26 has been capable of winning with both Ferrari drivers is nevertheless particularly encouraging. It also fits into the broader picture outlined in Frédéric Vasseur’s assessment of Ferrari’s 2026 season, with Maranello having made clear progress while still seeking further performance.
“It is, however, a very positive thing that the SF-26 has proved capable of winning with both drivers. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are different in the way they express themselves and communicate, but very often the input we receive from them is the same. When Ferrari brings a development to the track, they both then improve.”
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