Meet Ferrari's striking 2026 Formula 1 car, the SF-26

The SF-26 might well be the Scuderia's most significant F1 single-seater in their history as their Championship drought continues since 2008, when they won the F1 Constructors' Championship.

Their last Drivers' Title dates back to 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen beat the team's current driver, Lewis Hamilton, who was in his rookie season with McLaren.

Ferrari have sacrificed their 2025 F1 season in favor of starting work on the SF-26 as early as possible. That resulted in a deeply disappointing campaign where Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggled to compete despite the latter bagging several podiums.

Hamilton had a tough debut season with Ferrari, struggling to get up to speed and even match Leclerc. Both he and Ferrari will have nowhere to hide in 2026, as the new car should have been built with his feedback, while the team cannot give excuses after their early start in the development of the SF-26.

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur commented on the SF-26's launch saying: "The SF-26 marks the beginning of a new era for both Formula 1 and Ferrari, with new regulations introduced in the same year for the chassis and the power unit, as well as new fuels and new tyre sizes.

"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.

"The team is aligned and more united than ever as we look ahead to the season. From next week in Barcelona, we will begin the process of understanding and validating the car.

"In this initial phase, the priority will be to learn as much as possible and to start building solid foundations ahead of the opening race," Vasseur concluded.

The SF-26, which is the 72nd F1 single seater to be produced at Maranello was designed based on the 2026 F1 technical regulations.

Ferrari's Technical Director Chassis, Loïc Serra, said: "Developing the SF-26 required us to adapt to a completely new regulatory framework.

"We dedicated significant time to the concept phase to capture as much of possible of the new regulatory & technical context.

"We also had to ensure that the car’s architecture would allow us enough flexibility for in season development. In this environment, efficiency and the integration of features like active aerodynamics are crucial.

"The SF-26 represents a major collaborative effort from the entire team at the factory, and we are looking forward to starting the season," he concluded.

The SF-26 will be powered by an all new Ferrari power unit, also built to the new 2026 regulations where internal combustion and electricity will deliver power on an equal basis with sustainable fuels being used for the first time.

Ferrari's engine boss, Enrico Gualtieri, said: "Under the 2026 regulations, the power unit becomes a more integral part than ever in the overall car concept.

"The significantly increased role of the electric component, the introduction of 99% sustainable fuel and the removal of the MGU-H represent a clear shift in philosophy, rather than a simple evolution compared with the 2014 to 2025 era.

"This required us to rethink the architecture of the power unit from the very beginning, focusing on efficiency, integration and energy management, always in close collaboration with our colleagues in the chassis department.

"It is a complex technical challenge, which we have approached with great respect and discipline, with the objective of optimising the entire car system as the season progresses," the Ferrari engineer concluded.

The SF-26, like its predecessor, will be piloted by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Both drivers will have to adapt their driving styles to what will be a more tactical approach to racing with the increase involvement of electricity.

Leclerc said: "The 2026 regulations demand an even higher level of preparation, particularly for us drivers.

"There are many new systems to understand and optimise, which is why we have been heavily involved from the early stages of the project’s development.

"During my time with Scuderia Ferrari HP 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.

"The support of the fans will be especially important this season: it is what makes Ferrari so unique and pushes us to give our very best," Leclerc concluded.

As for Hamilton, who enters his second season in Red, he added: "The 2026 season represents a huge challenge for everyone, probably the biggest regulation change I have experienced in my career.

"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," the seven-time F1 Champion concluded.

As has been the case in previous years, and while Ferrari had a simple online launch this time, the team went on with a shakedown of the new car at their Fiorano track.

Hamilton was the first driver to hit the Fiorano track with the SF-26.