Ferrari have revealed their 2026 challenger for F1’s new era of regulations with the SF-26 immediately given its track debut by Lewis Hamilton in Italy.
Ferrari are seeking to bounce back from a hugely disappointing 2025 in which Hamilton’s first campaign with the team turned into a “nightmare” as they stuttered to fourth in the constructors’ standings having begun the season expecting to contend for titles.
Hamilton was given the honour of debuting the SF-26 – the moment captured by the Sky Sports F1 cameras – with Ferrari giving the car its maiden shakedown at its own Fiorano test track amid drizzly conditions on Friday. Team-mate Charles Leclerc then took over the car later in the day.
The introduction of new chassis and power unit regulations have dictated that Ferrari’s designers, like all their counterparts on the grid, have had to have a “complete rethink of the car’s architecture”.
But there has also been a notable tweak to the famous livery for 2026..
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Ferrari have revealed their new SF-26 car for the 2026 season.
The SF-26, like Red Bull’s latest challenger, features a return to glossy paint after seven years of the previously in-vogue matte look.
Ferrari say the red is “brighter and more intense” while the increase in white around the cockpit area and engine cover “creates a strong, balanced visual contrast, making the car instantly recognisable”.
F1’s new rules theoretically make a return to the front of the grid possible, but external expectations appear to have been lowered by last year’s underwhelming display.
“This car is the result of a tremendous team effort and represents the start of a completely new journey, built around a different set of rules that inevitably brings a number of unknowns,” said team principal Frederic Vasseur.
“The team is aligned and more united than ever as we look ahead to the season.”
Seven-time world champion Hamilton went a whole season without a grand prix podium for the first time in his F1 career following his blockbuster switch from Mercedes.
His team-mate Charles Leclerc fared better as he claimed seven podiums, but the Monegasque was unable to add to his eight career victories in a season that left both drivers extremely frustrated.
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Ahead of Ferrari’s car launch for the 2026 season, Ted Kravitz discusses the team’s prospects for the upcoming year and whether Lewis Hamilton can return to form
Hamilton, Leclerc ready for ‘extremely important year’ after F1 rules overhaul
Preparing to start his 20th season in F1 and with his contractual status beyond 2026 not publicly known, Hamilton clearly faces a crucial campaign after the disappointments of his first campaign in red.
“The 2026 season represents a huge challenge for everyone, probably the biggest regulation change I have experienced in my career,” said Hamilton.
“When a new era begins everything revolves around development, growth as a team, and moving forward in the same direction.
“As a driver, being involved from the very start in the development of such a different car has been a particularly fascinating challenge, working closely with the engineers to help define a clear direction for the it.
“It will be an extremely important year from a technical perspective, with the driver playing a central role in energy management, understanding the new systems and contributing to the car’s development.
“It is a challenge we face together as a team, supported by the extraordinary passion of Ferrari’s tifosi, which means so much to all of us.”
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Craig Slater asks former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, whether Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari will turn their fortunes around in 2026
Leclerc, into his eighth year as a Ferrari race driver, added: “We have already experienced major regulatory changes together, so we know how complex this challenge can be, but we are working with a lot of motivation to arrive on track as well prepared as possible.
“Energy management and the power unit will be among the most significant aspects – a fascinating challenge which will require us drivers to adapt quickly, relying more on instinct to begin with, and then increasingly on precise data.”
When is F1 pre-season testing?
The introduction of new regulations means there is a robust schedule of three separate testing events before the start of the 2026 season.
The first is a behind-closed-doors event in Barcelona from January 26-30, before two tests follow in Bahrain from February 11-13 and 18-20.
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Tune into the highlights of F1 testing at the Barcelona Shakedown, every night from Monday 26 to Friday 30 January, live on Sky Sports F1 YouTube at 7pm and on the Sky Sports F1 channel from 9pm
When is the first F1 race?
The teams then have two weeks to prepare for the opening round of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.
The first practice sessions of the season will take place on Friday 6 March, with Qualifying on Saturday 7 March and the opening race on Sunday 8 March.
Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
