Ferrari SF-26, goodbye to Red Bull secrets: why the new suspension challenges Adrian Newey
As the countdown to the unveiling of the new Ferrari SF-26 on January 23 intensifies, technical details are emerging that reveal a radical shift at Maranello. The Italian side led by Frederic Vasseur seems to have decided to abandon the pursuit of Red Bull’s extreme solutions in favor of charting its own technical path: a return to rear push-rod suspension.
Why push-rod is a direct challenge to Newey
In recent years, almost the entire paddock has followed the rear pull-rod philosophy, successfully introduced by Adrian Newey to optimize extreme aerodynamics and sidepod packaging. However, for 2026, Ferrari has chosen to revert to a push-rod setup—a solution not seen on a Ferrari since 2010. This counter-trend move focuses entirely on mechanical stability and easier car setup.
Less “special effects,” more substance
With the 2026 regulations, cars will be narrower and lighter. Ferrari believes that a more “traditional” rear suspension will provide Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton with a more honest platform, less sensitive to ride-height variations. In an era dominated by active aerodynamics, simplicity could prove to be the winning weapon against the complex systems of rival teams.
“The SF-26 will not be a copy of Red Bull. The choice of push-rod is a signal of a Ferrari that has stopped chasing and has started innovating again, following its own ideas.”
The drivers’ approval
It is rumored that both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were consulted on this technical direction. In particular, the Briton, scheduled for his Seat Fit at Maranello on January 18, reportedly welcomed a car that is less “capricious” in its mechanical responses. The challenge to Milton Keynes is now set: Ferrari is betting on substance to return to the top of Formula 1.
