Ferrari's 2026 F1 Car, Project 678, Reportedly Reverting to Pushrod Rear Suspension

Rumors are circulating that Ferrari's 2026 Formula 1 car, codenamed Project 678, will mark a significant design shift by adopting a pushrod rear suspension, a configuration not seen on a Ferrari F1 car since 2010. This change comes amidst major regulation overhauls for the 2026 season, including increased electrification, sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's suspension philosophy has often been a point of discussion, especially as they and customer team Haas have been the sole adopters of a pullrod rear suspension. A shift to a pushrod system could represent a fundamental re-evaluation of their chassis design, potentially aiming to unlock greater performance and better adapt to the upcoming regulatory changes. This decision, likely influenced by new technical director Loic Serra, underscores Ferrari's aggressive pursuit of a competitive edge.

The Details:

• Suspension Reversal: Ferrari's Project 678 is rumored to revert to a pushrod rear suspension, a design not used by the Scuderia since the 2010 F10 car.
• Industry Trend: Most other F1 teams, including Red Bull and McLaren, already utilize a pushrod rear suspension, while Ferrari and Haas have been the only ones with a pullrod setup in recent years.
• New Regulations Impact: The 2026 season will introduce radical changes to F1, including 50% electrification, fully sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics. These changes, particularly the move away from current ground-effect regulations and a smaller diffuser, are cited as potential drivers for Ferrari's suspension design decision.
• Leadership Influence: This strategic shift is likely influenced by Loic Serra, who joined Ferrari as technical director in October 2024. Serra's expertise in vehicle dynamics is thought to be a key factor in committing to the pushrod rear suspension.
• Previous Stance: Prior to Serra's arrival and his predecessor Enrico Cardile's departure for Aston Martin, Ferrari had publicly stated that they saw no clear performance gains between pushrod and pullrod suspension layouts.
• Engine Innovation: Alongside the chassis rumors, Ferrari is also reportedly developing a 'revolutionary' new engine for 2026, featuring an aluminum alloy cylinder head with a 'top-secret intake system,' after abandoning a previous steel cylinder head concept due to reliability concerns.

The big picture:

Ferrari's last world title of any kind was the Constructors' Championship in 2008, with Kimi Räikkönen winning the Drivers' Championship in 2007. The Scuderia has been striving to return to consistent championship contention. These rumored technical overhauls, both in chassis and engine design, signify a concerted effort to capitalize on the new regulations and potentially end their title drought. The Italian media's historical accuracy in predicting Ferrari's technical details adds weight to these reports, suggesting a significant shake-up is indeed underway at Maranello.

What's next:

If these reports prove accurate, the 2026 season will see a radically different Ferrari challenger. The success of Project 678, both with its rumored suspension changes and the new engine, will be critical in determining whether Ferrari can truly challenge for championship honors against established front-runners.