Ferrari Names 2026 Car the SF-26

Ferrari has officially named its 2026 car the SF-26, signaling a no-nonsense approach as the team targets a return to the front under massive new technical regulations. The moniker, moving away from celebratory names, reflects the high-stakes environment for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after a disappointing 2025 season.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents a massive reset for Formula 1, with new regulations for aerodynamics, power units, and energy recovery designed to shake up the competitive order. For Ferrari, a team that has struggled to mount a consistent title challenge in recent years, this is a critical opportunity to build a new foundation for success. The sober, functional name SF-26 underscores the team's all-business mentality as it aims to capitalize on this reset and end its championship drought.

The details:

• A Functional Name: The SF-26 name continues the recent convention, with 'SF' standing for Scuderia Ferrari and '26' for the year. Internally, the car was developed under the project title 'Project 678'.
• A Shift in Focus: The name marks a departure from more emotional designations like the F1-75, which celebrated the company's 75th anniversary. For 2026, the focus is purely on performance and establishing a competitive baseline for the new rules era.
• Immense Pressure: The new car arrives after a difficult 2025 season where Ferrari finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship and secured only a single sprint race win. This has put the team under significant pressure to deliver.
• Driver Expectations: Charles Leclerc, who was the team's higher-performing driver in 2025, has called 2026 a "decisive year" and a "huge chance" to start the new era on the right foot for the next four years.
• Aggressive Development: Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur is taking an aggressive approach, planning to finalize the car's design on the day before its official launch to maximize every possible hour of development time.

What's next:

The SF-26 is set to be presented to the public immediately ahead of the pre-season winter test in Barcelona. All eyes will be on the car's early performance to see if Ferrari's aggressive strategy and new direction can translate into a genuine threat to the top teams.