Between 2026 tests that don’t reveal everything and postponed decisions, Ferrari is entering a critical phase that outweighs all others. The Scuderia’s preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship follows an extremely precise roadmap, dictated by technical and timing choices that reveal far more than meets the eye.
At Maranello, work is proceeding at a relentless pace: Ferrari was among the first teams to successfully pass the homologation crash tests, allowing them to assemble almost simultaneously two chassis of the new 678 project. The immediate goal is to bring the entire car onto the dynamometer, where engineers can evaluate the integrated performance of the power unit, electronics, and auxiliary systems before hitting the track.
According to Motorsport.it, the aerodynamic team led by Diego Tondi has already defined the “standard” configuration with which Ferrari will approach the Barcelona tests. The Catalan track will not be a performance benchmark but a fundamental step to verify the consistency of the project: from active aerodynamics on the front axle—a true regulatory novelty—to the correct response of design parameters.
Special attention will be given to the new power unit and the complex electronic management systems, tasked with coordinating the internal combustion engine and electric motor during a still very delicate development phase. Equally important will be the first encounter with the new 18-inch Pirelli tires, slightly narrower than before, which could influence both the car’s balance and operating window.
The final aerodynamic package
In Barcelona, therefore, Ferrari will field a car that is still “raw” but far from improvised: the aim will be to gather reliable data to guide the last technical decisions before the official FIA tests in Bahrain. And it is in Sakhir that the most interesting move will unfold. Like other top teams, Ferrari will continue to push development in the wind tunnel up to the allowed limit for spare parts production. The result? The final aerodynamic package intended for Melbourne is expected to appear only on the penultimate or even the last day of testing in Bahrain.
This choice is deliberate: to maximize development time, minimize exposure to rivals, and start the World Championship with the most updated version of the SF-26 possible.
