Ferrari is preparing a surprise upgrade to its SF-26 car ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, aiming to boost performance for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The team showed promise in Barcelona testing but identified areas for improvement in energy management and aerodynamics. Italian media reports highlight a clever design tweak that could give Ferrari an early edge.
Ferrari's 2026 campaign got off to an encouraging start with the SF-26's debut at a five-day private shakedown at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last month. Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets on the final day, posting a fastest lap of 1:16.348 on soft Pirelli tyres. While lap times were secondary to reliability checks under the new regulations, the test alleviated fears of technical issues from the overhauled power units.
The 2026 rules introduce significant changes: electrical power now contributes nearly 50% alongside the internal combustion engine, the MGU-H is eliminated, and sustainable fuels are mandatory. Ferrari's engineers confirmed the SF-26's robustness in these areas, but telemetry from Hamilton and Leclerc revealed room for refinement in energy management and aerodynamic efficiency.
To address this, Ferrari plans to introduce a refined sidepod design before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8. The upgrade features smaller sidepods enabled by steel cylinder heads in the internal combustion engine, which operate at higher temperatures and dissipate heat more efficiently. This allows for compact radiators, reducing overall weight and improving aerodynamics with a streamlined, tapering shape.
The team tested a baseline version in Barcelona and intends to iterate further during official pre-season sessions in Bahrain on February 11-13 and 18-20. Ferrari's aggressive aerodynamic approach has drawn FIA attention, prompting a staggered rollout to balance gains with compliance. After a disappointing 2025, where Hamilton finished sixth in the drivers' standings without a podium and 86 points behind Leclerc, this 'wildcard' could help the Scuderia challenge frontrunners like McLaren and Mercedes from the outset.
Ferrari, the most successful team in F1 history, last won a championship in 2008. With Hamilton, the sport's most victorious driver, on board, the partnership eyes a resurgence under the reset regulations.
