Ferrari will step into a crucial new chapter this week as it prepares to unveil its Formula 1 car for the 2026 season, the SF-26. The launch comes at a sensitive moment for the iconic Italian team, following a difficult debut year for Lewis Hamilton in red and growing questions about whether Ferrari can truly challenge for championships in the new regulation era.
After months of scrutiny and internal changes at Maranello, the SF-26 launch is more than a routine presentation. It is Ferrari’s first major chance to reset expectations, rebuild confidence, and show that lessons have been learned from a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Ferrari F1 2026 Car Launch: Date and Venue
Ferrari will officially unveil the SF-26 on Saturday, January 23, 2026, at its historic base in Maranello, Italy. The team traditionally uses this stage to outline its philosophy for the season ahead, introduce key technical ideas, and reinforce its ambitions before pre-season testing begins.
The launch forms part of a packed January schedule, with several teams revealing their cars ahead of the first official test sessions of the new F1 era.
Ferrari F1 2026 Launch: How to Watch Live
Fans will be able to follow the entire Ferrari launch live online. The team will stream the event across its official social media platforms and YouTube channel, allowing viewers worldwide to watch without regional restrictions.
Ferrari has confirmed that the presentation will include the first public look at the SF-26, driver appearances, and commentary from senior team figures.
Lewis Hamilton’s First Year at Ferrari Under the Spotlight
When Lewis Hamilton joined Ferrari at the start of 2025, expectations were sky-high. Many believed the seven-time world champion could finally secure a historic eighth title with the sport’s most famous team. Instead, the season proved extremely difficult.
Hamilton finished sixth in the drivers’ standings with 156 points, ending the year 267 points behind champion Lando Norris. The results fell well short of Ferrari’s internal targets and raised questions about performance, communication, and long-term direction.
The pressure increased after Ferrari confirmed that Riccardo Adami, Hamilton’s race engineer during the 2025 season, had exited the role following a year marked by tense radio exchanges and inconsistent execution.
Can Ferrari challenge for titles in 2026?
Ferrari hopes the SF-26 marks a turning point, but expectations remain cautious. Early betting odds place the Scuderia as third favourites for the Constructors’ Championship, behind the leading contenders.
In the drivers’ market, Charles Leclerc enters the season with longer odds for a first world title, while Hamilton faces an even tougher challenge in his bid for an eighth crown. Still, Ferrari believes regulation changes offer an opportunity to close the gap and reset the competitive order.
Why the SF-26 Launch Matters?
The 2026 season introduces a new era of Formula 1 regulations, making this launch especially important. Ferrari must demonstrate that it has aligned its technical vision, leadership structure, and driver pairing around a single, clear goal: winning again.
The SF-26 will also provide the first real clues about how Ferrari plans to support Hamilton and Leclerc more effectively after a year of frustration.
When are other F1 teams launching their 2026 cars?
Ferrari’s launch sits within a busy calendar of reveals across the grid, with 11 teams set to compete in 2026 following the arrival of Audi and Cadillac. Major launches continue through late January and early February, leading into pre-season testing.
Once the SF-26 breaks cover, attention will quickly shift to pre-season testing, where Ferrari’s pace, reliability, and development potential will face early scrutiny. For Hamilton, Leclerc, and Ferrari’s leadership, the coming weeks will determine whether optimism around the new car translates into real progress on track.
