Ferrari’s 2026 Chassis Clears FIA Crash Tests

This means the new monocoque is now officially homologated and legally approved for competition under the radically revised 2026 technical regulations. The early approval confirms that structural work on the chassis is significantly advanced, allowing Ferrari to lock key safety and architecture parameters while shifting resources to fine-tuning aerodynamics and mechanical details.

Early Shift of Focus to 2026

Team principal Frédéric Vasseur previously revealed that Ferrari halted aerodynamic development of the current SF‑25 at the end of April 2025, reallocating wind-tunnel and CFD resources to the 2026 project. That strategic decision, driven by McLaren’s early dominance and Ferrari’s inconsistent 2025 form, explains why the team is ahead of many rivals in the homologation process.

Mechanical work on the SF‑25 continued through 2025, but the main performance roadmap has long been oriented toward maximising the first 2026 car rather than rescuing an increasingly difficult season.

What Early Homologation Allows

With the chassis signed off, Ferrari can now begin assembling the first complete 2026 car at Maranello in time for the private pre-season tests scheduled at Barcelona from 26–30 January. Locking the monocoque spec early also stabilises packaging constraints for the new power unit, revised suspension and underfloor aero required by the 2026 rules.

Italian reports indicate that Ferrari’s technical department under Loïc Serra has used this head start to pursue a more radical concept than the SF‑25, particularly at the rear suspension and floor level.

Context: A Difficult 2025

The early completion of crash tests comes against the backdrop of a frustrating 2025 campaign, including poor performances at high‑pressure events like Qatar and a slide to fourth in the Constructors’ standings. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have publicly linked Ferrari’s short‑term pain to its long‑term bet on 2026, acknowledging that development sacrifices this year were the price of trying to hit the ground running in the new era.