Ferrari Faces Delays with 2026 Car
- therookiereporters
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Ferrari are starting their 2026 season amid “chaos” in Maranello, with reports suggesting that their new car is running behind schedule.
Ferrari’s 2026 build faces early delays
The 2026 Formula 1 season will introduce a new generation of cars, featuring redesigned chassis, power units, and revised aerodynamic elements. Compared to prominent rivals Mercedes, Audi, and Honda, who have already “fired up” their engines, Ferrari have yet to complete their first official start-up, which is expected imminently.
Although the team are finalising the details for the upcoming presentation of the SF-26, reports indicate a delay that has raised alarms and created a general sense of “chaos” within the team. The new chassis was approved later than planned, while unconventional technical solutions, such as a steel-alloy cylinder head, have put additional pressure on the assembly line. As a crucial component, the chassis should have been completed much earlier. Considering that work on the new car began in April 2025, such delays are by no means a positive sign. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has promised that the car will be completed, but assembly will not take place any earlier than one day before the official launch; "I believe that this year, in any case, all teams will have to be aggressive in several aspects. In our case, we will complete the assembly of the car the day before the presentation, on January 22."
Pressure builds inside Maranello
Inside Maranello, cracks are beginning to show and the strain that Ferrari will be facing ahead of 2026 is becoming clear. Even though parts of the chassis haven’t yet received final approval, rumours swirl in Italian news outlets about the mess and loss of control. Reality checks for the team will likely come later when the car rolls out for its first slow runs. Success then will depend less on headlines and more on whether rush jobbing holds up under real track conditions. Vasseur has packed the calendar tight and only time will tell whether speed matches risk.
Article written by Iuliana Mihai © Iuliana Mihai 2026
