Ferrari SF-26

Development

Codenamed Project 678,^[1] the SF-26 is the first Ferrari car to be created for the 2026 Formula One regulations, and therefore features significant changes from its predecessor, the SF-25.^[2] Designed under the leadership of Chassis Technical Director Loïc Serra and Power Unit Technical Director Enrico Gualtieri,^[3] the SF-26 was first unveiled on the 23 January 2026 during a shakedown at the Fiorano Circuit, showing its new push-rod suspension and manual override mode.^[4][5][6] The SF-26 made its race debut at the season-opening 2026 Australian Grand Prix.^[7]

Livery

The SF-26 race livery was shown for the first time on 23 January 2026. The livery returns to a glossy lighter red finish, last used in 2018 on the SF71H, and a larger usage of white surrounding the airbox and engine cover reflecting the teams usage of white accents in the past.^[13][14]

Opening rounds

The SF-26 made its competitive debut at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. Leclerc and Hamilton qualified in fourth and seventh, respectively. Ferrari's race starts were already observed during the pre-season test at Bahrain to be faster than other teams', which translated into Leclerc launching into the lead at the first turn against George Russell (Mercedes). He battled against Russell during the opening stages of the race, though a virtual safety car was called out for another driver's retirement. The team chose to stay out, giving Mercedes, who pitted their drivers, a tyre advantage. Ultimately, Leclerc and Hamilton finished third and fourth, respectively.^{[citation needed]}

At the second round and the first of six sprint weekends in the Scuderia's campaign, Ferrari qualifying 4th and 6th for the sprint race. With yet again battling the Mercedes, both cars eventually finished 2nd and 3rd with qualifying for the main race 3rd and 4th later in the day. The main race had both Ferraris battling each other and exchanging the lead with Kimi Antonelli, the latter taking his first pole position. As a result, Hamilton took his first podium at Ferrari with 3rd place and Leclerc settled with 4th.