Ferrari to prioritize reliability over performance in 2026 pre-season testing
Ferrari will use a "Spec A" car in January's private Barcelona test to focus on reliability and mileage over performance, a strategy Team Principal Fred Vasseur believes all teams will adopt under the new 2026 regulations.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed the team will bring a "Spec A" car to the private Barcelona test in January, prioritizing mileage and reliability validation over outright performance. This approach reflects the universal challenge facing all teams as they adapt to sweeping new chassis and power unit regulations for the 2026 season, where durability is expected to be a critical initial hurdle.
Why it matters:
The shift to a "mileage-first" testing strategy underscores the high-stakes reset of the 2026 technical regulations. After years of stable engine rules, teams are entering a period of significant technical uncertainty. Ensuring a reliable base package from the outset is crucial to avoid being derailed by early-season failures and development delays, which can compromise an entire campaign.
The details:
- Vasseur stated that he expects all teams to adopt a similar philosophy for the private Barcelona test, focusing on a foundational "Spec A" car rather than chasing performance.
- The primary goal is to accumulate mileage to validate technical choices, identify reliability weaknesses, and establish a stable reference point for the car.
- The 2026 pre-season schedule offers nine total test days—a significant increase from the recent norm of three—but this also demands a completely different and more structured program.
- Vasseur cited Ferrari's challenging start to the 2025 season, which was compounded by a disqualification in China that cost valuable track time and reference data, as a cautionary tale of how early setbacks can create a season-long deficit.
What's next:
The focus will remain squarely on reliability during the private Barcelona test. Once a durable base is confirmed, the development race for performance can begin in earnest. Ferrari has signaled an aggressive development plan leading up to its car launch on January 23rd, just days before the Barcelona test. The data gathered in these early runs will be critical for making timely adjustments before the final pre-season test in Bahrain and the season opener in Australia.