Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc got their first track time with Ferrari’s 2026 car at the F1 shakedown test in Barcelona on Tuesday.
But the team has already run into an early issue, with the FIA applying a technical restriction to their package.
While many teams chose to sit out due to poor weather, Red Bull and Ferrari opted to make use of the session. Leclerc was first up in the SF-26 before Hamilton took over later in the day.
The full details of this ban were not made clear by reports from Motorsport.com, but it marks an interesting early challenge for Mercedes’ returning boss Christian Horner.
The 2026 F1 regulations represent a significant overhaul, introducing sweeping changes to engine, aerodynamics and chassis specifications. In response, Ferrari have opted to use a baseline version of their new car for these initial sessions, hoping it will help keep details of their final design under wraps a little longer.
FIA to scrutinise Ferrari’s 2026 F1 aero approach after bold design choices
After a winless 2025 campaign that was hampered by persistent ride height issues, Ferrari have returned to a push-rod suspension setup for the 2026 season. The team has also overseen a technical overhaul, aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag with their latest car.
SPEEDWEEK has reported that the FIA is slowing things down a bit on Ferrari’s plans for 2026. There are concerns over how aggressively the Scuderia have pushed their aerodynamic approach, and officials intend to give the SF-26 a closer look before giving full approval.
The FIA wants to thoroughly examine Ferrari’s aero package before confirming it meets the new rules. Complicating matters is the backlog left behind by Jason Somerville’s exit from his position in November, which has slowed down reviews across all teams.
FIA’s review process slowed by staff changes
The delay comes after Jason Somerville, who had been in charge of reviewing aero submissions for the FIA, left his post. He is expected to join Alpine once his gardening leave is over. Without him, the FIA has struggled to keep up with the evaluations.
Ferrari first showed off their engine packaging during a private shakedown at Fiorano last Friday, when Hamilton and Leclerc took the SF-26 out on track. The sidepods are notably compact, but that’s not the only notable feature of their design.
Ferrari are among several teams this year to include a hole in the rear diffuser of their 2026 car. While F1’s new regulations require simpler floor designs to cut downforce, this particular opening can help increase airflow speed through the diffuser.
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