Ferrari Confirms SF-26 as 2026 F1 Car Name

Ferrari has officially named its 2026 Formula 1 challenger the SF-26, ending months of speculation. The announcement marks the first major public step for the Scuderia as it aims to rebound from a winless 2024 season and attack the new ground-effect regulations with renewed vigor.

Why it matters:

• The name signifies Ferrari's full commitment to its 2026 project, which the team prioritized early in the 2024 campaign. After a difficult year with no race wins and Lewis Hamilton's first podium-less season, the SF-26 represents a clean slate and a symbol of hope for a return to the front of the grid. The 2026 season, with its radical technical overhaul, is seen as a golden opportunity for teams to reset the competitive order.

The details:

• The Name: The SF-26 follows Ferrari's recent naming convention, with 'SF' standing for Scuderia Ferrari and '26' representing the year of competition.
• Launch Date: The car is set to be officially revealed to the public on January 23 at an event held at Ferrari's private Fiorano test track.
• Early Focus: Team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the team shifted its development resources to the 2026 car early in 2024, sacrificing short-term gains for a long-term advantage under the new rules.
• Championship Goal: The ultimate objective is to end Ferrari's constructors' and drivers' championship drought, with the team's last title coming in 2008.

What's next:

• All eyes will be on the Fiorano launch on January 23, where the world will get its first look at the SF-26. The real test, however, will come during pre-season testing and the first race of the season, where Ferrari will see if its ambitious early switch in focus has paid off against rivals like Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren, who are all preparing for the same regulatory reset.