Ferrari has unveiled the SF-26 livery, signalling a decisive change in direction as F1 prepares for its most far-reaching regulation overhaul in decades. Rather than a simple visual reveal, the launch represents a statement of intent from a team eager to reset after a challenging period and reassert itself at the front of the grid. At the centre of that ambition stands Lewis Hamilton, whose own legacy may hinge on the success of this project.
As Hamilton approaches the 2026 F1 season at the age of 41, the significance of the SF-26 becomes clear. The car could provide his final realistic opportunity to secure an eighth world championship and move ahead of Michael Schumacher, with whom he is currently tied on seven titles. In that context, Ferrari’s latest challenger carries both team-wide expectation and personal history, linking the Scuderia’s future to one of the most compelling records in the sport.
Built with 2026 in mind
With that goal in focus, Ferrari designed the SF-26 entirely around the upcoming 2026 F1 technical regulations. The team embraced lighter and narrower chassis requirements while committing to a radically revised power unit concept. Under the new rules, cars will derive 50 percent of their performance from electrical power, a significant increase compared to previous seasons, and will run exclusively on fully sustainable fuels. As a result, the SF-26 reflects Ferrari’s intention not only to compete, but to lead through innovation during Formula 1’s next technological chapter.
This forward-looking approach stands in stark contrast to the difficulties of 2025, a season that forced Ferrari to confront fundamental shortcomings. The SF-25, driven by Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, struggled with inherent design limitations that prevented consistent competitiveness. As the campaign progressed, Hamilton openly described the year as a “nightmare” and an “emotional rollercoaster”, while Ferrari slipped to fourth in the constructors’ standings and failed to win a single Grand Prix.
A reset after a difficult season for Ferrari F1
Recognising those issues early, Ferrari chose to act decisively rather than persist with a compromised package. By the end of April 2025, the team halted aerodynamic development on the SF-25 and redirected its engineering resources towards the 2026 project. Consequently, the SF-26 shares very little with its predecessor and represents a clean-sheet reset aimed at removing the compromises that defined the previous car.
The difficult season also produced contrasting outcomes for Ferrari’s drivers. Hamilton completed the first podium-free campaign of his 19-year Formula 1 career, while Leclerc reached the rostrum seven times but was unable to convert those performances into a race victory. Nevertheless, Ferrari believes the experience has sharpened its understanding and reinforced the importance of its long-term vision.
Ultimately, the unveiling of the Ferrari SF-26 F1 livery marks more than the beginning of a new season. It reflects Ferrari’s determination to move forward with clarity and purpose, embrace a new regulatory era, and provide its drivers with a platform capable of fighting at the front once again. With renewed belief and a historic milestone within reach, the SF-26 sets the tone for Ferrari’s ambitions in F1.
