Ferrari’s Two-Pronged Car Strategy for 2026 Pre-Season

Ferrari is taking an unconventional path into the 2026 Formula 1 season by preparing two distinct versions of its new car for the pre-season programme. This approach responds to the dramatic technical overhaul in the sport — brand-new chassis, active aerodynamics and rebalanced hybrid power units present teams with a blank slate and enormous uncertainty about how to extract performance and reliability under the new regulations.

The Italian squad will first run a basic prototype during closed-door testing in Barcelona, focusing on validating core systems such as the engine’s electronic controls, hybrid operation, cooling and overall reliability rather than outright speed. This version is designed as a tool for gathering essential early data ahead of the official tests.

Later, at the more public pre-season sessions in Bahrain, Ferrari plans to field a significantly more developed version. This second car will showcase advanced aerodynamic solutions — including a reshaped nose, revised sidepods and a re-engineered rear structure — along with a suspension layout chosen to improve airflow and aerodynamic efficiency.

This dual-car tactic reflects Ferrari’s desire to leave no stone unturned as it tries to rebuild competitiveness after a challenging 2025 campaign, where it failed to secure a victory and struggled to evolve the car over the season. By separating early reliability work from later performance development, Maranello hopes to enter the first race of the year feeling confident in both fundamental systems and aerodynamic performance.

Credit: Jen Ross