FIA consider Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 Ferrari inspection before approving aggressive aero design
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc got their first track time with the Ferrari 2026 car during F1 shakedown testing in Barcelona on Tuesday.
But the team has already hit an early problem, with the FIA applying a technical restriction to its package.
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While many teams chose to sit out due to bad weather, Red Bull and Ferrari chose to take advantage of the session. Leclerc was first in the SF-26 before Hamilton took over later in the day.
The full details of this ban have not been clarified by reports from Motorsport.com, but it presents an interesting first challenge for returning Mercedes boss Christian Horner.
The F1 2026 regulations represent a significant overhaul, introducing radical changes to engine, aerodynamics and chassis specifications. In response, Ferrari has chosen to use a base version of their new car for these early sessions, in the hope that this will help keep the details of their final design under wraps a little longer.
FIA to review Ferrari’s aerodynamic approach in F1 2026 after bold design choices
After a winless 2025 campaign hampered by persistent ride height issues, Ferrari returned to a pushrod suspension setup for the 2026 season. The team also oversaw a technical overhaul aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag on its latest car.
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SPEEDWEEK reported that the FIA is slowing down Ferrari’s plans a bit for 2026. There are concerns about how aggressively the Scuderia has been pushing its aerodynamic approach, and officials intend to take a closer look at the SF-26 before giving full approval.
The FIA wants to scrutinize Ferrari’s aerodynamic package before confirming it meets the new rules. Complicating matters is the backlog left by Jason Somerville’s departure from his position in November, which has slowed reviews across all teams.
FIA review process slowed by personnel changes
The delay comes after Jason Somerville, who was in charge of reviewing aerodynamic submissions for the FIA, left his post. He is expected to join Alpine once his gardening leave is over. Without him, the FIA struggled to keep up with the evaluations.
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Ferrari first revealed its engine during a private shakedown at Fiorano last Friday, when Hamilton and Leclerc took the SF-26 to the track. Sidepods are particularly compact, but that’s not the only notable feature of their design.
Ferrari is one of several teams this year to include a hole in the rear diffuser of their 2026 car. While new F1 regulations require simpler floor designs to reduce downforce, this particular opening can help increase the speed of airflow through the diffuser.
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