Ferrari SF-26

A place to discuss the characteristics of the cars in Formula One, both current as well as historical. Laptimes, driver worshipping and team chatter do not belong here.
edu2703
edu2703
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Joined: 03 Jun 2015, 23:47
Location: Brazil

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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jambuka wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 19:16
I understand the microphone quality, surrounding noise, engine mode etc come into play, but the Ferrari engine sounds quite subdued compared to the Merc. Did they go with the steel cylinder route ? Air intake is so small.
I also noticed the sound of the Ferrari PU's electric motor is much more noticeable than in Mercedes and Red Bull/Ford power units.

stewie325
stewie325
0
Joined: 18 Nov 2007, 19:18

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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The horrible scaffolding propping up the bargeboard must have an aero purpose. Are they using that part to generate vortices outward and/or into the sidepod channel?

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Giando
93
Joined: 10 Jan 2012, 17:56
Location: Milan (Italy)

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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sucof wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 17:02
Giando wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 16:36
so where do you think is the front wing mechanism for X / X modes?
is it in the middle of the wing or on the sides?

https://i.ibb.co/V0XnPrN6/Screenshot-20 ... -30-16.png
It would make very little sense at the endplates, as you would need lots of ducting, 1 more actuator and more obstruction of airflow.
And you can see, it is under the nosecone. At the ends, those are just the rotating points.
Uff... Gazzetta dello Sport now says the mechanism are hidden inside the endplates... is that possible?

mzso
mzso
72
Joined: 05 Apr 2014, 14:52

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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Emag wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 13:05
Is this the only real car we have seen that has an inwashing front wing?
Knowing Ferrari's track record it's the exact wrong direction to develop.
Emag wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 13:15
By regulation they're allowed to support the bargeboard with one element that connects to the chassis. Should be an interesting area of development.
Yes, but there's two.

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sucof
34
Joined: 23 Nov 2012, 12:15

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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Giando wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:00
sucof wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 17:02
Giando wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 16:36
so where do you think is the front wing mechanism for X / X modes?
is it in the middle of the wing or on the sides?

https://i.ibb.co/V0XnPrN6/Screenshot-20 ... -30-16.png
It would make very little sense at the endplates, as you would need lots of ducting, 1 more actuator and more obstruction of airflow.
And you can see, it is under the nosecone. At the ends, those are just the rotating points.
Uff... Gazzetta dello Sport now says the mechanism are hidden inside the endplates... is that possible?
That would make no sense. Also, then what is that device that looks exactly like an actuator under the nose?? :)

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sucof
34
Joined: 23 Nov 2012, 12:15

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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mzso wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:32
Knowing Ferrari's track record it's the exact wrong direction to develop.
Ah yes, since they are dead last since 75 years, right???

Could you people stop these empty, illogical and negative stuff?

mzso
mzso
72
Joined: 05 Apr 2014, 14:52

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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edu2703 wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 19:42
jambuka wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 19:16
I understand the microphone quality, surrounding noise, engine mode etc come into play, but the Ferrari engine sounds quite subdued compared to the Merc. Did they go with the steel cylinder route ? Air intake is so small.
I also noticed the sound of the Ferrari PU's electric motor is much more noticeable than in Mercedes and Red Bull/Ford power units.
You mean the sound of the gears.

sucof wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:55
mzso wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:32
Knowing Ferrari's track record it's the exact wrong direction to develop.
Ah yes, since they are dead last since 75 years, right???

Could you people stop these empty, illogical and negative stuff?
Only around 20. :)

Luscion
Luscion
124
Joined: 13 Feb 2023, 01:37

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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Looks like the SF-26 is pretty much at the minimum weight limit

Image

LM10
LM10
124
Joined: 07 Mar 2018, 00:07

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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mzso wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:32
Emag wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 13:05
Is this the only real car we have seen that has an inwashing front wing?
Knowing Ferrari's track record it's the exact wrong direction to develop.
Yes, but there's two.
2017 regulation changes: Ferrari aerodynamically and mechanically the best car initially, just hugely underpowered against the PU of Mercedes.

2022 regulation changes: Ferrari the best car initially and at least on par with the RedBull until TD39 came.

Also, in general Ferrari has had clever car characteristics/details which have been copied regularly in many seasons.
So which track record are you talking about exactly?

dialtone
dialtone
127
Joined: 25 Feb 2019, 01:31

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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Luscion wrote:Looks like the SF-26 is pretty much at the minimum weight limit

Image
That’s just marketing. They’re not gonna write the real weight there although I agree they are probably at minimum weight.

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DiogoBrand
74
Joined: 14 May 2015, 19:02
Location: Brazil

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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Luscion wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 22:04
Looks like the SF-26 is pretty much at the minimum weight limit

https://i.postimg.cc/mDfnbPTY/VIps9v0.png
It's not like they would publish any number other than that if they didn't achieve minimum weight.

Kalsi
Kalsi
31
Joined: 03 Mar 2013, 21:12

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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edu2703 wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 19:42
jambuka wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 19:16
I understand the microphone quality, surrounding noise, engine mode etc come into play, but the Ferrari engine sounds quite subdued compared to the Merc. Did they go with the steel cylinder route ? Air intake is so small.
I also noticed the sound of the Ferrari PU's electric motor is much more noticeable than in Mercedes and Red Bull/Ford power units.
Are you sure you guys are not fooled by the drone propellers noise? There was a drone filming in every car shakedown we had until now so far

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT3CkkdD ... FncjRqYw==

matt_s
matt_s
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Joined: 29 Jan 2015, 13:35

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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sucof wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:53

That would make no sense. Also, then what is that device that looks exactly like an actuator under the nose?? :)
In addition to that, having it in the endplate puts it where it's easily damaged (even if the endplates are not as far out as the '25 cars). Any damage to the wing and you are forced to immediately make a long stop to replace it. No chance to make it to your next scheduled stop, or even leave it the whole race like they have done previously.

matteosc
matteosc
30
Joined: 11 Sep 2012, 17:07

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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matt_s wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 22:46
sucof wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:53

That would make no sense. Also, then what is that device that looks exactly like an actuator under the nose?? :)
In addition to that, having it in the endplate puts it where it's easily damaged (even if the endplates are not as far out as the '25 cars). Any damage to the wing and you are forced to immediately make a long stop to replace it. No chance to make it to your next scheduled stop, or even leave it the whole race like they have done previously.
I agree that the actuator is in the center, but having it in the endplates would help reducing losses. Obviously it would be an issue for in-race contacts, but (1) front wings are more narrow now, so they would likely bump wheels first and (2) I think even with the actuator in the middle a contact may cause enough damage to ruin the system.

Vinlarr89
Vinlarr89
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Joined: 27 Feb 2023, 14:32

Re: Ferrari SF-26

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matt_s wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 22:46
sucof wrote:
23 Jan 2026, 21:53

That would make no sense. Also, then what is that device that looks exactly like an actuator under the nose?? :)
In addition to that, having it in the endplate puts it where it's easily damaged (even if the endplates are not as far out as the '25 cars). Any damage to the wing and you are forced to immediately make a long stop to replace it. No chance to make it to your next scheduled stop, or even leave it the whole race like they have done previously.
This is my issue with this generation… end plate damage is going to knock out the active aero, and require immediate pit to correct