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

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Ferrari are preparing for the 2026 F1 regulations, knowing that next year could be key for shaping what the future has in store for Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and more.

The Scuderia had a sorry year in 2025 after team principal Fred Vasseur shifted their focus over to the 2026 F1 regulations in April. Vasseur halted the development of Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car very early, as he believed it would be more worthwhile to invest their resources on 2026.

But Vasseur’s decision led Ferrari to have their first winless season since 2021 and only take fourth spot in the constructors’ standings. Leclerc and Hamilton also only took fifth and sixth in the F1 drivers’ championship with 242 and 156 points after 24 Grands Prix and six Sprints.

Hamilton even failed to secure a single Grand Prix podium in a season for the first time in his 19-year F1 career, and the 40-year-old is now facing calls for him to retire. Leclerc’s future at Ferrari is uncertain, as well, with the 28-year-old drawing interest from rival teams for 2027.

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

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Ferrari have an ‘intelligent’ front suspension set-up for 2026 that deforms at speed

Ferrari know that how they adapt to F1’s 2026 regulations may define Hamilton, Leclerc and Vasseur’s futures. So, FunoAnalisiTecnica reports that Ferrari have developed an ‘intelligent’ solution to try to prevent a repeat of the suspension problems that they faced during 2025.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

The Scuderia recognise that having an optimal platform to maximise the car’s dynamics and tyres was ‘extremely challenging’ for them in 2025. So, technical director Loic Serra decided that Ferrari should explore having levels of flexibility in their front suspension arms in 2026.

Serra worked with various departments in Maranello on their new front suspension set-up, which should limit the movement of the floor but can still generate downforce. Ferrari have found an ‘intelligent’ way to layer the carbon skins so the suspension arms can flex at speed.

The FIA only conducts static tests on the flexibility of the upper front suspension wishbones, which Ferrari’s fix should meet. Serra gave Ferrari an ‘extremely complex’ task to design the suspension in a way that satisfies the FIA’s checks but deforms when a load is then applied.

Ferrari’s flexible suspension could help to determine Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s futures

Has Fred Vasseur had enough time to restore Ferrari’s title hopes?

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Ferrari will hope their flexible upper front suspension wishbone design delivers as intended in 2026, having struggled throughout the 2025 season due to their suspension changes last winter. The Scuderia endured chronic problems with their ride height throughout the term.

Hamilton was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix in March, a day after he won the F1 Sprint in Shanghai, due to excessive wear to his floor plank. Ferrari then realised that they would need to increase the ride height of the SF-25 to avoid any repeats during the season.

While Ferrari introduced a rear suspension upgrade at the Belgian Grand Prix, the update at Spa did not deliver the required solution to the Scuderia’s sorrows. So, Ferrari will return to push-rod suspension in 2026, as they realise it was a mistake to switch to pull-rods in 2025.

The flexible aspect of Ferrari’s front suspension wishbone will only now add another level of complexity to their changes in 2026. If Serra’s decision backfires, then Ferrari could see their sorrows persist and also bring Hamilton, Leclerc and Vasseur’s futures further into question.