Ferrari has decided to keep its cards close to its chest ahead of the two official test sessions in Bahrain. Here is when the real 2026 car, the one that will be ready for Australia, is expected to hit the track.
Everything is now in place. In just under a month, all eleven teams that will fight for the title in what is, in every respect, the start of a new era in Formula 1 will return to the track to test projects that so far have only been developed and refined in the simulator. It is precisely during these testing sessions that Ferrari has chosen to hide its true intentions, without showing the real 2026 car, which is expected to be revealed only a few weeks before the Australian Grand Prix.
The start of a new era: test dates
These three test sessions scheduled by the FIA will be crucial for both teams and drivers as they begin to familiarise themselves with the new generation of Formula 1 cars. Completely revised aerodynamics, different power units and three new overtaking modes will place a strong emphasis on understanding how to manage the electric side of the car, which will play a decisive role in overall performance.
The first three days of official testing will take place from 26 to 30 January at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Due to its layout and variety of corners, the Catalan circuit is considered ideal for obtaining the first meaningful feedback on the overall behaviour of the cars. However, this initial session will be held behind closed doors, meaning that no one, not even accredited journalists, will be allowed access to the circuit.
The cars will then return to the track in Bahrain for two further test sessions, scheduled from 11 to 13 February and from 18 to 20 February. This time, the tests will be open to the public and will also be broadcast live on television, allowing fans and media to closely follow the teams’ progress.
Ferrari’s strategy
According to Motorsport.com Italia, Ferrari will begin the test programme by deliberately hiding its true potential. Diego Tondi, head of aerodynamic engineering, has approved a standard configuration for the 678, with the main objective of verifying that all systems are working as planned and that the baseline data matches expectations.
Later on in Bahrain, the Scuderia will begin to introduce changes to certain elements of the car, while continuing intensive development work in the wind tunnel right up until the first race of the season in Australia. This approach underlines Ferrari’s intention to focus on correlation and reliability before pushing performance.
Only in the final days of testing, whether on the penultimate or the final day, it remains to be confirmed, will the definitive aerodynamic package designed for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne be seen on track. That moment is expected to mark the first true glimpse of Ferrari’s real 2026 Formula 1 car.
As the anticipation builds for the green light in Melbourne, it’s clear that the technical chess match is already well underway. Ferrari’s cautious approach suggests a team that is confident in its data but wary of giving rivals any early advantages. Whether this tactical silence translates into on-track dominance remains the biggest question of the winter, but one thing is certain: the true face of the 2026 Ferrari will be a secret worth waiting for.
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