Ferrari are now finishing up preparations on the cars that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will drive during F1’s first pre-season test under the 2026 regulations in Barcelona.
Formula 1 is heading to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26-30 for what’s being called a shakedown, rather than a traditional pre-season test. The event is being held behind closed doors, giving teams some privacy as they run their new cars for the first time under the new rules.
The 2026 F1 regulations represent a major shift in how cars are built and raced, with sweeping changes to engines, aerodynamics, chassis design and tyres. Ferrari made an early decision to stop developing their 2025 car back in April last year so they could put all their focus on getting ahead of the game for 2026. It was a big gamble but one they hope can end their long title drought dating back to 2008.
Fans will have to wait until February 11-13 to see Ferrari’s new car in action during the first public pre-season test in Bahrain. A second test follows on February 18-20, also in Bahrain, before the season kicks off in Australia from March 6-8.
Ferrari to debut third sidepod design at 2026 F1 season opener
Audi have already hit the track with their 2026 car, becoming the first team to do so with a filming day in Barcelona. Ferrari are planning to hold their own shakedown at Fiorano on January 23.
Ferrari will also unveil the livery for the SF-26 that Hamilton and Leclerc will race in 2026 on January 23, with no team expected to reveal any technical details before their car goes on a track. Yet Ferrari also plan to use sidepods in Bahrain that they will not then use in Australia.
FunoAnalisiTecnica has reported that Ferrari plan to abandon the sidepod designs used during testing in Bahrain ahead of the opening race of the year in Australia. The team has two different specifications ready for both Bahrain tests.
The Scuderia intend to use a ‘basic’ aerodynamic package in Barcelona, as they feel it will be more beneficial to record the most miles possible. Ferrari have also designed a sidepod with a ‘more generous’ entry section to be used in Bahrain, but they do not plan to race the part.
The Maranello-based outfit expect pre-season testing to be challenging, as they work through correlating data from CFD simulations and wind tunnel work – an area where they’ve faced difficulties over recent seasons.
Ferrari looking to keep their 2026 car under wraps until Melbourne
Ferrari principal Fred Vasseur has made it clear that the focus during pre-season testing in Barcelona and Bahrain will be on gathering useful data, not chasing lap times. He wants to use the early running for reliability checks and data correlation, keeping development work quiet until closer to the season start.
Vasseur’s approach is partly a response to F1’s new engine and aerodynamic regulations, with teams working through major changes for 2026. By holding back performance runs, Ferrari hope to avoid giving rivals an early look at what they’ve developed before the opening race in Melbourne.
It means fans might not get a clear sense of where Ferrari stands until qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix. Hamilton and Leclerc will be hoping the quiet build-up translates into genuine pace once the racing begins, as Ferrari aim for their first drivers’ title since 2007 and their first constructors’ crown since 2008.
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