Ferrari may be preparing for one of the biggest technical resets Formula 1 has seen in its history, but when it comes to naming its cars, Maranello is sticking firmly to tradition.
The Scuderia confirmed on Friday that its 2026 challenger will be called SF-26, continuing the naming convention used in recent seasons.
The car, known internally as Project 678 during its development phase, will officially carry the SF badge into a year that could define the Italian outfit’s immediate future.
The SF-26 arrives at a critical moment. Ferrari endured a bruising 2025 campaign, slipping to fourth in the constructors’ standings without a single grand prix victory.
While Charles Leclerc delivered a strong individual season to finish fifth overall, frustration has continued to simmer. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated move from Mercedes proved difficult, with an early sprint win in Shanghai offering only fleeting optimism.
Recognising the scale of the opportunity presented by Formula 1’s all-new 2026 regulations, team principal Fred Vasseur made a decisive call back in April, diverting Ferrari’s aerodynamic focus fully onto the new car.
That urgency is reflected in Ferrari’s aggressive development timeline. The SF-26 will be unveiled on 23 January at Maranello before a shakedown at Fiorano – but only just.
“This will be aggressive for sure, because we will finish the assembly of the car the day before the launch,” Vasseur said.
“The launch will be [on] 23 January in Maranello. It means that we'll finish the car on the 22nd. And this is aggressive, but everybody will do the same.”
Ferrari is betting that relentless late development – paired with a familiar name – can help reset its fortunes.
With Leclerc calling 2026 “now or never” for the team, the SF-26 is more than just a car name. It’s a statement of intent for a new era.
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