Vasseur outlines Ferrari's 2026 testing schedule after SF-26 launch

Ferrari is set to debut its SF-26 on track next Tuesday during the first pre-season test in Barcelona, marking the official start of a crucial campaign under the new 2026 regulations. Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the schedule following a successful launch event, expressing optimism about the project's progress while acknowledging the immense effort required to reach this milestone.

Why it matters:

With a completely new set of technical regulations for 2026, these initial track days are vital for validating simulation data and ensuring reliability. Ferrari's strategy to hit the ground running on Tuesday, while competitors like McLaren delay their start until Wednesday, suggests confidence in their preparation and a desire to maximize learning time before the season opener.

The details:

• Schedule: Ferrari will take to the track on Tuesday, February 27th, and will also run on Thursday during the five-day Barcelona test. Under current regulations, each team is restricted to just three days of running at this venue.
• Competitor Status: The test is held behind closed doors. Williams will miss the entire session due to delays in passing crash tests, while McLaren has declared it will skip the opening days.
• Vasseur's Insight: The Team Principal described the launch as an "emotional day" and a "good start," emphasizing the years of work invested in the new power unit side of the project.
• Total Running: Combined with the subsequent two tests in Bahrain, teams will have nine days of track time in total to prepare for the new season.

What's next:

Following the Barcelona test, the team will shift focus to Bahrain for the final pre-season session. The goal is to gather enough data to ensure the SF-26 is a genuine contender when the 2026 championship begins.