It's been nearly two decades since the Scuderia Ferrari Team last achieved Championship success in Formula 1, so will 2026 mark a turning point for the most iconic team on the F1 grid? Today, the SF-26 launch has been unveiled in Fiorano, and if nothing else, it looks pretty killer.
The red, white, and black livery immediately catches the eye and harkens back to some popular designs from Ferrari's 75+ years in the sport.
The team made headlines in 2025 for its noticeable lack of performance, a source of immense frustration for drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The situation intensified when Ferrari Chairman John Elkann publicly criticised the duo, telling them to "focus on driving and talk less."
Both have addressed the challenges of driving the Ferrari car, but it sounds like the inner workings of the SF-25 were designed in close collaboration with the duo. Hamilton, a 7-time Drivers' Champion, said today, "The 2026 season represents a huge challenge for everyone, probably the biggest regulation change I have experienced in my career."
"When a new era begins, everything revolves around development, growth as a team, and moving forward in the same direction," he continued. "As a driver, being involved from the very start in the development of such a different car has been a particularly fascinating challenge, working closely with the engineers to help define a clear direction."
Leclerc, who is rumoured to be growing increasingly frustrated with Ferrari and the lack of success he's found within the team, added, "The 2026 regulations demand an even higher level of preparation, particularly for us drivers. There are many new systems to understand and optimise – which is why we have been heavily involved from the early stages of the project’s development."
"During my time with Scuderia Ferrari HP, we have already experienced major regulatory changes together. So we know how complex this challenge can be, but we are working with a lot of motivation to arrive on track as well prepared as possible," he concluded.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has described the regulation changes as "exciting," and confirms that the team has taken a different approach after "[starting] from scratch on every single topic." The Frenchman also highlighted the importance of "stability [in] the organisation."
2026 will be a big year for Ferrari on multiple fronts. If Hamilton continues to struggle, then he may choose to retire from F1. As for Leclerc's frustrations, those may boil over and lead to him seeking opportunities with another team.
Take a closer look at the SF-26 in the Instagram post below.