Vasseur declares 'new era' as Ferrari launches SF-26 for 2026 season

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has officially declared that the launch of the SF-26 marks the beginning of a "new era" for both the Scuderia and Formula 1. Following a disappointing 2025 season where the team failed to secure a Grand Prix win for the first time since 2021, the pressure is on to capitalize on the sweeping regulatory changes. The car was unveiled at the Fiorano circuit, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc set to lead the charge.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season brings simultaneous changes to chassis, power units, fuel, and tire sizes, creating one of the most wide-open campaigns in recent history. For Ferrari, this represents a critical opportunity to reset the competitive order and challenge the frontrunners. With the Hamilton-Leclerc lineup retained, the team is betting on this fresh start to move past recent struggles and return to the front of the grid.

The details:

• Regulatory Overhaul: Vasseur emphasized that the SF-26 is the result of a "tremendous team effort" built around a completely different set of rules, bringing inevitable technical unknowns.
• Team Unity: The Frenchman noted that the squad is "aligned and more united than ever" as they navigate this new chapter.
• Immediate Focus: The priority is learning rather than immediate performance peaks. The goal is to understand the car's behavior and build solid foundations ahead of the opening race.
• Shakedown: Following the launch, the team conducted a shakedown at Fiorano to begin the validation process.

What's next:

The SF-26 will face its first major test next week in Barcelona. Vasseur stated that the team will focus on understanding and validating the car's performance characteristics during this initial phase. The objective is to maximize learning during testing to ensure the car is competitive when the season begins.