“Crucial factor is to not have a superb automotive proper now, however to have the ability to enhance it all through your complete season.” With these phrases, Ferrari technical director Loic Serra highlighted how steady growth would be the actual key issue within the 2026 Components 1 season.
In spite of everything, as Loic Serra defined, “we began from a clean sheet of paper, and that provides you a lot alternatives. The drawback is that when there are such a lot of prospects… you may shortly lose your approach.”
A transparent identification for the Ferrari SF-26
Regardless of the challenges of ranging from scratch beneath the brand new rules, the SF-26 seems to have been born with a robust and outlined identification. It’s described as a strong and “wholesome” venture, with specific strengths on the rear of the automotive and within the ground space — two essential zones in trendy Components 1 aerodynamics.
Among the many most talked-about parts is the controversial aerodynamic profile positioned instantly behind the exhaust. This part was fastidiously designed to handle the new airflow coming from the exhaust system and was launched solely after an extended approval course of with the FIA.
“My exhaust? It’s not like that, quite it’s the group’s exhaust,” Serra defined in an interview with L’Equipe when referring to the innovation. “I think about myself solely the final hyperlink within the chain.”
Ferrari’s 270-degree rear wing rotation
The French engineer’s method displays humility, however he didn’t disguise a sure pleasure when discussing the response from rival groups. “I admit it’s good to see the impact our creations have, however these rules gave us a clean sheet of paper and lots of alternatives.”
Ferrari additionally shocked the paddock with its revolutionary movable rear wing, able to rotating as much as 270 levels — an answer made attainable by the 2026 technical rules. “The earlier guidelines didn’t give us this diploma of freedom. We noticed the chance to maximise straight-line velocity and higher exploit airflow, and we took it.”
Efficiency comes from what you can not see
Nonetheless, in line with Loic Serra, the true efficiency secrets and techniques of the SF-26 are hidden beneath the floor. “What really offers efficiency to a automotive is never seen. It’s the sum of many small issues,” he clarified.
With the top of the ground-effect period, the main focus for each group is obvious: “The target for everybody is to maximise downforce and obtain robust interplay between chassis and energy unit.”
Inside this framework, the SF-26 impressed positively throughout early-season testing, proving to be dependable and full of intelligent technical options able to making a distinction. But the event race is way from over.
“Now we should enhance it, and we should accomplish that all through your complete season. With the folks we now have in Maranello… I don’t see why we shouldn’t succeed.”
This long-term growth technique would be the deciding think about a 12 months the place the training curve is steeper than ever. With the technical management clearly targeted on steady refinement, the SF-26 is anticipated to vary considerably between the season opener in Melbourne and the ultimate race of the 12 months, because the group works to remain forward of the event race on this new period of Components 1.
Feb 23, 2026
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