Ferrari facing a ‘critical issue’ with their 2026 F1 car that could impact every team on the grid

Follow us on Google Discover

The upcoming new regulations are undoubtedly throwing a few curveballs for F1 engineers as they ready their cars for pre-season testing, and Ferrari are already facing a ‘critical issue’ with one aspect of the new ruleset.

As well as the new engine formula that the grid’s power unit manufacturers are developing, every constructor on the grid is also developing a brand new chassis in line with Formula 1’s latest specifications.

The 2026 F1 challengers will feature smaller dimensions than their predecessors, a drop in minimum weight, and the introduction of active aerodynamics in place of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) that had aided overtaking since 2011.

Ferrari have already identified the sidepods as a ‘crucial’ component to the new ruleset, and are working towards generating a similar calibre of downforce from the part as Red Bull and McLaren have in the past.

However, the sidepods aren’t the only piece of the puzzle that the Scuderia are putting their focus on.

• READ MORE: Ferrari have an ‘intelligent’ trick to get around ‘extremely complex’ FIA check with their 2026 car

Ferrari failed to win a Grand Prix in 2025, but how many do you predict they will win in 2026 under the new regulations?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Ferrari are currently facing a ‘critical issue’ with the development of their 2026 front wing

A report by La Gazzetta dello Sport outlined Ferrari’s plan during pre-season testing for the upcoming season, stating that the iconic racing outfit will be verifying the ‘functionality’ of their package in Barcelona before it adopts a more ‘definitive structure’ in certain areas in Bahrain.

One of those areas is the front wing, which is understood to be a ‘critical issue’ for them, as well as every other team on the grid, due to the new active aerodynamic systems that will be in place.

In contrast to the new system’s predecessor, DRS, the active aerodynamics will feature movable flaps on the front wing, which requires ‘a complete redesign’ of the area in order for the optimisation of floor-directed airflow.

This development is also understood to be the leading factor behind Ferrari’s decision to develop the car alongside the data that will be collected during the early testing sessions.

Technical director Loic Serra will be given the necessary amount of time to evaluate the areas for improvement of the implemented solutions, and hopefully arrive at the first round of the season with confidence in the new F1 car.

• READ MORE: Gary Anderson would immediately ‘eliminate’ one 2026 Formula 1 rule that’s a ‘complete mess’

Ferrari have been lobbying the FIA regarding a Mercedes and Red Bull engine ‘loophole’

On the engine side of things, Ferrari have already made a move to put a stop to a ‘loophole’ that Mercedes and Red Bull have reportedly been using during development of their 2026 power units.

By increasing the compression ratio within the engines, the German constructor is understood to have found an advantage of around three tenths of a second, enough to be a decisive factor in them being a frontrunning engine manufacturer or languishing in the midfield.

F1 expert Gary Anderson believes Mercedes aren’t cheating by putting the ‘trick’ to use, citing the competitive nature of new F1 regulations are the reason why the Scuderia ended up flagging the loophole.

The former Jordan F1 team technical director noted that if Ferrari had been the team to come up with the idea, then the discrepancy wouldn’t have been brought up to the attention of the sport’s governing body in the first place.