Ferrari revealed its 2026 challenger in the new F1 regulations era with the SF-26, shortly after Lewis Hamilton made his circuit debut in Italy.
Ferrari are aiming to bounce back from a very disappointing 2025, which saw them languish in fourth place in the constructors’ standings and Hamilton’s first season with the team turned out to be a “nightmare” after starting the season with hopes of fighting for the title.
Hamilton was given the honor of debuting the SF-26, the moment captured by Sky Sports F1 cameras, as Ferrari completed a shakedown of the car at its Fiorano test track in drizzling weather on Friday.
Teammate Charles Leclerc drove the car for an acclimatization run after Hamilton’s lap.
“Overall it went pretty well,” team principal Frédéric Vasseur said of Sky Sports F1’s opening laps.
“We didn’t have any major problems and that’s certainly what you get at launch. We did five laps, which wasn’t a lot, but in the end we were able to collect the data that we wanted to collect and it went well.”
The introduction of new chassis and power unit regulations forced Ferrari designers, like all designers on the grid, to “completely rethink the car’s architecture”.
But for 2026, there are also some notable tweaks to the famous livery.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Ferrari has announced a new vehicle, the SF-26, for the 2026 season.
The SF-26, like Red Bull’s latest challenger, features a return to glossy paint, seven years after the previously popular matte look.
Ferrari says the red is “brighter and more intense”, while the increased white in the cockpit area and around the engine cover “creates a strong and balanced visual contrast, making the car instantly recognizable”.
F1’s new rules could theoretically allow a return to the front of the grid, but last year’s underwhelming results appear to have dampened external expectations.
Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur said: “This car is the result of a huge team effort and represents the start of a completely new journey, built to different rules and which inevitably brings with it many unknowns.”
“The team is more united and cohesive than ever before heading into the season.”
Seven-time world champion Hamilton failed to score a grand prix podium all season for the first time in his F1 career after a hugely successful start with Mercedes.
Although Leclerc performed well with seven podium finishes, the Monacoan was unable to add to his total of eight wins during the season, leaving both drivers extremely frustrated.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Ahead of Ferrari’s new car launch for the 2026 season, Ted Kravitz talks about next year’s team outlook and whether Lewis Hamilton can return to form
Hamilton and Leclerc ready for ‘very important year’ after F1 rule review
As he prepares to start his 20th season in F1, with his contract status beyond 2026 not made public, Hamilton clearly faces a crucial season after a disappointing first red season.
“The 2026 season is a huge challenge for everyone and will probably be the biggest regulation change of my career,” Hamilton said.
“As a new era begins, everything revolves around development, growing as a team and moving in the same direction.
“As a driver, it was a particularly fascinating challenge to be involved in the development of such a different car from the beginning, working closely with the engineers and helping to define a clear direction for the car.
Hamilton drives Ferrari SF-26 for the first time in Fiorano shakedown
“It will be a very important year from a technological point of view, with drivers playing a central role in energy management, understanding new systems and contributing to the development of the car.
“This is a challenge we take on together as a team, supported by the extraordinary passion of the Ferrari tifosi, and it means a lot to all of us.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Craig Slater asks former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn if Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari can turn their fortunes around in 2026
Leclerc, who is in his eighth year as a Ferrari race driver, added: “We know how complex this challenge can be, as we have already experienced major regulatory changes together, but we are working with great motivation to arrive at the track as prepared as possible.”
“Energy management and the power unit will be one of the most important aspects. This fascinating challenge requires us as drivers to adapt quickly, relying first on intuition and then increasingly on accurate data.”
When does F1 pre-season testing take place?
With the introduction of new regulations, a strong schedule of three separate test events is planned before the start of the 2026 season.
The first test will take place behind closed doors in Barcelona from January 26th to 30th, followed by two more tests in Bahrain from February 11th to 13th and 18th to 20th.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from F1 testing at Barcelona Shakedown will be streamed live every night from Monday 26th to Friday 30th January from 7pm on Sky Sports F1 YouTube and 9pm on Sky Sports F1 Channel.
When was your first F1 race?
The team will then have two weeks to prepare for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6th to 8th.
The first practice session of the season will take place on Friday, March 6th, followed by qualifying on Saturday, March 7th and the opening race on Sunday, March 8th.
Sky Sports F1 lets you watch all 24 race weekends of the 2026 F1 season live. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
