The biggest controversy of the winter break, at least for now, has been settled. A solution developed by Mercedes to increase their engine’s compression ratio above the 16:1 limit whilst on track (though still complying with stationary checks at room temperature) has been heavy scrutinised.

Gone in the SF-26 is the ground-effects design that marked the most recent era. Instead, Ferrari says it took a clean design approach, with an entirely new aerodynamic philosophy and a tighter integration between car and power unit.

Lewis Hamilton has completed the first laps in Ferrari's new 2026 Formula 1 car at the team's test track, Fiorano.