Photography: Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari HP just unveiled the SF-26 at the Pista di Fiorano Circuit, marking the debut of the team’s 72nd Formula 1 car and the first conceived entirely under the revolutionary 2026 regulations. The SF-26 will contest the Formula 1 World Championship, which begins on 8 March at Albert Park in Australia and represents a clean break from the concepts that have defined the sport in recent seasons.
New regulations
The 2026 technical framework has forced a fundamental rethink across Formula 1 and Ferrari has responded with an all new architecture. Ground effect aerodynamics are abandoned in favour of a different aerodynamic philosophy, resulting in cleaner bodywork, simpler surfaces and an emphasis on efficiency rather than peak downforce. Weight reduction has been a central objective, aligning with Formula 1’s push toward lighter, more agile cars that place a greater premium on driver confidence and balance.
Equally significant is the new generation Ferrari power unit. The SF-26 introduces a revised hybrid system that removes the MGU-H while increasing MGU-K output to 350 kW, dramatically raising the role of electrical energy in overall performance. This shift demanded close integration between chassis and power unit teams, with packaging and energy management shaping the car from the earliest design stages.
New visual identity
After seven seasons of matte finishes, Ferrari brings back gloss paint, applied to a brighter and more intense Rosso Scuderia inspired by the special Monza livery seen in 2025. The red also echoes the tone used around the turn of the millennium, reinforcing continuity with Ferrari’s most evocative eras.
White, historically used sparingly, plays a more prominent role in 2026. Positioned around the cockpit and engine cover, it creates strong contrast and improves visual clarity, ensuring the SF-26 is instantly recognisable on track.
The white areas reflect the visual requirements of the HP title sponsorship, integrating the partner’s identity without overwhelming Ferrari’s traditional red. However, the greater presence of white on the SF-26 is also a historical nod to cars such as the Ferrari 312T and the Ferrari F93A.
What do you think of the new livery?
From launch to track
With the launch complete, attention now turns to on track validation. Testing begins next week, when Ferrari heads to Spain for a Barcelona shakedown, followed by two Bahrain sessions.
In a regulation reset that affects every team equally, Ferrari’s focus remains disciplined development, data driven refinement and steady progress as this new chapter unfolds.
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