‘Everything is working’: Leclerc confirms ‘no big problems’ for Ferrari SF26 after Fiorano shakedown

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc gave a cautious but encouraging first verdict on the Scuderia’s new SF-26, confirming the team avoided "big problems" during a foggy maiden shakedown at the Fiorano test track on Friday.

The 28-year-old Monegasque shared driving duties with new teammate Lewis Hamilton as the Italian outfit officially debuted its challenger for Formula One’s radical 2026 technical era. While the run was limited to just 15 kilometres under strict "demonstration event" rules, Leclerc described the milestone as the culmination of months of intense factory labour.

Reliability Over Performance

Speaking after his initial laps, Leclerc emphasised that the primary goal of the day was validation rather than performance. "The main target is to check that everything is working properly and that there are no big problems, which was the case today, so that is a positive," Leclerc told F1.com.

However, he warned against drawing conclusions about the car's early pace. "In terms of performance, in terms of feeling, it’s too early to say," Leclerc added, noting that thick fog and a damp track surface made it difficult to push the car. "It’s not the best conditions to test a car for the first time, but I was very excited... to see whether it was doing the things that we expected."

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The 2026 Technical Challenge

The SF-26 represents a massive shift in design, featuring active aerodynamics and a power unit with a 50/50 electrical-to-combustion split. Leclerc noted that the new regulations will force drivers to fundamentally "relearn" how to manage energy and car balance.

"We kind of have to relearn most of the programmes," Leclerc admitted. "We've got to understand the system a lot better in order to make the most out of it. There are many implications on the driver's side—the way we drive, the way we'll manage the racing. This makes it a big challenge, but that’s something that excites me."

The Road Ahead

The Fiorano run served as a "soft launch" before the start of meaningful testing. While Ferrari skipped the opening day of the private Barcelona shakedown on Monday, Jan. 26, to finalise factory preparations, the team is scheduled to join the field for Day 2 of the Spanish test.

The SF-26, featuring a striking red and white livery, will undergo rigorous data collection in Barcelona before heading to Bahrain for official pre-season testing starting Feb. 11. The 2026 season officially kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8.