Ferrari has scheduled the shakedown for their 2026 car on January 23.

      The 2026 car will be the first one fully managed by Loic Serra.

      Ferrari is set to unveil and conduct a brief run of its 2026 Formula 1 car on January 23 at Fiorano, with team principal Fred Vasseur cautioning that next season presents an even bigger leap into the unknown than the onset of the hybrid era. During Ferrari’s usual Christmas lunch, which was attended by CEO Benedetto Vigna, Piero Ferrari, and senior technical personnel, Vasseur confirmed that the Scuderia will disclose the new car online ahead of a brief shakedown, likely covering just 15 kilometers.

      "What fans will see from the Via Giardini overpass won’t be a prototype, but rather an 'A version' of the red car, which we’ll likely put together the day before," Vasseur informed La Repubblica. "As for the name? We will announce it then." He emphasized that even the early running during the Barcelona group test will focus more on mileage than on speed, stating, "We’ll primarily use Spain to accumulate kilometers rather than prioritize performance," noting that Ferrari is effectively starting from scratch under the drastically new regulations.

      The 2026 car will be the first fully overseen by technical director Loic Serra, who transitioned from Mercedes after the design for 2025 was mostly finished. "It’s a collective responsibility, but I’m the one in charge," Serra stated, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. "The car is like a concert, not just a collection of parts. In Bahrain, we will see very different cars, with teams possibly making decisions that could change by 180 degrees."

      Vasseur also emphasized the strategic challenges posed by the cost cap in this new regulatory era. "If a team introduces four or five updates in the initial races or needs to send a new underbody to Japan or China, they quickly deplete half of their development budget," he elaborated. "Whoever leads in Melbourne won’t necessarily have the car that wins the championship."

      The lunch also included discussions about Lewis Hamilton’s challenging first season with Ferrari. Vasseur acknowledged that Ferrari underestimated the magnitude of the adjustment. "Even in the hardest times, Hamilton has consistently sought solutions through communication with the team and engineers," he remarked. "We underestimated how significant such a major change would be for him. It’s not just about culture or food; it involves every single procedure."

      Four-time world champion Max Verstappen echoed this sentiment in remarks to Viaplay. "It hasn’t been a good season for him at Ferrari," he commented. "You can tell from everything, even on the on-board radios," Verstappen noted. "Honestly, it pains me. It’s really disheartening to see him like this. He doesn’t give up, so he will definitely be there, but it’s not enjoyable to witness."

      Hamilton himself is focused on the upcoming reset. Reflecting on past regulatory changes, he stated, "Everything is new. There’s no reference point. We can simulate as much as we like, but the truth only becomes clear on the track. I’m hoping next year’s cars will feel better."

      Vasseur concurs that the extensive changes leave everyone uncertain. "The whole philosophy of the car will be entirely different from before," he said. "Nothing will stay the same. We are bound to encounter different issues – but that’s the challenge of 2026."