Ferrari could have an advantage over their rivals for the 2026 season due to a new approach to practice sessions following significant regulation changes.
The Scuderia head into the 2026 season off the back of one of their worst campaigns in recent memory, with a fourth place constructors finish and only seven podiums, all scored by Charles Leclerc.
However, 2026 offers a complete reset in both chassis and engine regulations, and if pre-season times are to be believed, the Ferraris could be ones to watch.
The new power-units offer a significant challenge for drivers, with it being critical to recharge the battery constantly with it being responsible for 50% of the engines power.
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In order to recharge efficiently drivers require numerous braking zones, meaning each circuit it going to be a completely new challenge, particularly those without slower speed corners like Albert Park.
"It's going to be a lot harder to learn all that and to perfect it in only three practice sessions," Audi driver Nico Hulkenberg said at an event organised by team partner Bp via The Race.
“Here [Melbourne] is a completely different circuit: the cornering speeds, there are not that many heavy brakings compared to Bahrain. That's why we know we go from one extreme to a very different extreme."
The German believes that practice sessions are going to be far more crucial than in recent years, which could hand Ferrari an advantage in race preparation throughout the season.
“Teams are going to play with that, different strategies, different techniques and practice," he added.
"That's why you have two cars. We're gonna test, find out, learn, look at results, re-do again – and come up with the best strategy."
Ferrari innovation could provide crucial advantage during practice sessions
During practice sessions, teams are forced to use tyres from their weekend allocation, meaning burning through potential race and qualifying tyres is not ideal during non competitive sessions.
However, as Hulkenberg stressed, the amount of learning teams need to do during practice has increased significantly, and one of Ferrari's newest innovations could give them the edge.
During Bahrain testing, Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc were seen running an exhaust flap, with data showing it helped ‘significantly’ improve their tyre wear.
If the Scuderia continue to demonstrate elite tyre life, it should allow them to run longer in practice without burning through their allocation, which could be a huge advantage in a year of such unknowns.
It is currently unknown if Ferrari will use their exhaust wing in Australia, but assuming it eventually becomes a mainstay on the SF-26, it could be crucial to optimising race performance at challenging circuits.
Tom Jenkins