2026 Scuderia Ferrari HP F1 Team

[F1NAC]

When Vanja returns to forum then it’s time to jump on the hype train. Until then, I’m restrained

[dialtone]

After seeing Leclerc lap, these cars are going to be way more rapid than people think. We going to see some insane speeds in Melbourne

Yeah, that was a proper lap. There really is only 1 corner that is slower (T12-13) because it's a 0kw zone, the rest of the track sounded pretty full from the engine, and that's still not full beans yet and heavier car than it will be in quali.

These cars look properly fast, nervous and providing a decent challenge to drivers with all the wheel lock and cornering errors that we've seen these tests.

Hopefully they can develop the car well through the year and we don't get random TDs to nerf Ferrari.

[PDR]

Hi to all.
It does not really matter but according to the video of the hot lap, I think that leclerc did his time on C3 ( medium tyre) and not C4 as it is written in motorsport.com. I am losing something?

[Autobahn303]

Hi to all.
It does not really matter but according to the video of the hot lap, I think that leclerc did his time on C3 ( medium tyre) and not C4 as it is written in motorsport.com. I am losing something?

Leclerc did 1:31.992 on the C4

[dialtone]

Hi to all.
It does not really matter but according to the video of the hot lap, I think that leclerc did his time on C3 ( medium tyre) and not C4 as it is written in motorsport.com. I am losing something?

they are marked the same afaik as M on the timing, you can only tell by looking at the tire when slower/still. The timing had him on C4 anyway.

[PDR]

Thank you guys!
I think the difference would be a chequered flag that C3 should have :
https://press.pirelli.com/tyre-availabi ... bahrain-0/

[jrdls]

Much was made in commentary (led by the Mercedes sim driver Ant Davidson…) that Bahrain suits Ferrari more than other tracks - I’m not entirely sure how much I believe that (a drivable car with smooth delivery and good tyre life is a good thing on pretty much all tracks) but it’ll be something to look out for.

I believe he said that because the SF-26 seems better in corner exit than the Mercedes. Given how much this track seems to reward this trait, it seems to me like a fair point.

[spade16]

Im surprised they ran the C4, feel like they revealed too much

[ryaan2904]

My hopes are starting to rise.
Please please please, not another 2022

Well the engine is certainly not like '22 cuz its already done 14 GPs fine

[f1316]

Much was made in commentary (led by the Mercedes sim driver Ant Davidson…) that Bahrain suits Ferrari more than other tracks - I’m not entirely sure how much I believe that (a drivable car with smooth delivery and good tyre life is a good thing on pretty much all tracks) but it’ll be something to look out for.

I believe he said that because the SF-26 seems better in corner exit than the Mercedes. Given how much this track seems to reward this trait, it seems to me like a fair point.

Fair - and I’m not saying it’s entirely without foundation - but the phrasing revolved around a smaller turbo being a benefit here whereas a larger one would be more helpful at places like Melbourne. I think that’s a bit facile, since you still have to come off a lot of corners in Melbourne and it still remains to be seen if the bigger turbo definitely translates to more ICE power (it didn’t necessarily in the last engine cycle when Ferrari still had a smaller turbo but produced arguably the most power from the ICE).

[ryaan2904]

Posted previously: https://x.com/f1debrief/status/2024790259247034687/

This to me is the most encouraging thing. Given the time of day, I would say that this is possibly the best race sim we’ve seen (when corrected for high temps) and I think it bodes well for the drivability of the car and how it looks after tyres. Coupled with what seems to be a start advantage, it ought to mean good races.

The one lap pace was very good but I’m sceptical about how much Mercedes is keeping in reserve. Just gut but they certainly seem confident and I think they’ll crank it up a notch in Melbourne. Much was made in commentary (led by the Mercedes sim driver Ant Davidson…) that Bahrain suits Ferrari more than other tracks - I’m not entirely sure how much I believe that (a drivable car with smooth delivery and good tyre life is a good thing on pretty much all tracks) but it’ll be something to look out for.

I think it’s been a very good pre season and although there’s still a lot we don’t know (eg engine modes/fuel loads, Melbourne upgrades etc) I am cautiously optimistic.

I dont know how anybody can determine what cars are good at what tracks given the sample of one, and that just being a test, not an actual competitive race. lol

Commentary guys always just gotta yap about something, I guess. Hard to find things to talk about over an 8 hour test.

Yeah, I thought it was a bit spurious, especially given the source (always thought he has a big conflict of interest as a commentator tbh). But I don’t think it’s just filling time - had Mercedes been top, there would have been no such caveats, only superlative (the classic “ominous” getting trotted out). I thought it was kind of a b.s. take from Davidson (that the rest also picked up on) but it is true that Melbourne will be a very different challenge for everyone in terms of regen - Max, who I think is pretty honest and straightforward, said the same - so it could certainly be a different picture. How that impacts Ferrari I think is entirely unclear though.

Whilst I’m on it though: another silly narrative I’m hearing is that Ferrari’s (supposedly) smaller turbo means less overall power. That seems a very basic assumption imho. Have Ferrari not also used a smaller turbo throughout the previous V6 engine cycle? This really isn’t new/a surprise and hasn’t hurt them in ICE power in the past.

This year is Ferrari's year to prove that it can innovate AND win, so if they win, everybody will be prepping them up like Mercs in the future. It didn't use to be like this, I remember in 2018 and 19 they were actually rated at the top, even having a slight edge over Mercedes. 2020 completely killed that image and while 22 was better, ultimately they couldnt win nor did they develop in a way that won. So dont let the commentator guys bother you, they'll come around

Also imo Ferrari have an advantage with the turbo because they stuck with the conventional layout for the entire hybrid era. Must've learned some things

[ryaan2904]

https://x.com/KemalSengulll/status/2024898420473823268

Ferrari is leaving Bahrain happy; correlation is good, they're satisfied with durability. Performance is also good.

There are also new parts prepared for Melbourne.

Both Leclerc and Hamilton have given positive feedback so far. But they're aware that Mercedes is keeping its hand hidden.

Lewis and Charles seen leaving the paddock in good moods as well for whatever thats worth

I didn't see a single frown from Leclerc across both weeks

Now compare this to last year's testing... I know everyone wants to be a body language expert but even the journalists keep commenting on how happy Leclerc is. It's contagious!

I saw an image of when i think he just stepped out of the car after that blistering 31'9 lap and it showed how hard he was trying to not smile like a loon

[f1316]

Have they published the active aero zones (if that’s the correct phrase) for Melbourne yet? I’m wondering if the long, kinked “corners” are counted as straights - ie with active aero engaged - and, if so, imagining that the upside down RW would be a big benefit. If it’s only the actual “straight lines” then there’s less benefit over the full lap.

[ryaan2904]

aside from performance, i thought (totally not biased way) that sf26 looked best on track, weather in bright sunlight or evening twilight, that glossy red is hot.. also love how nice that sculpted side pod looks from front on there a nice sloping curvature just looks mega.. what you guys think? best looking car?

Defo in the top 3. At night the Ferrari Red and white look the best, in the day the RBR blue looks menacingly good. AMR looks very elegant during the day as well

[ryaan2904]

When Vanja returns to forum then it’s time to jump on the hype train. Until then, I’m restrained

Anyone knows why he left?