F1 News: Ferrari to test two 2026 car concepts as rethink begins

(GMM) Ferrari is planning an unusual split approach to the opening phase of its 2026 preparations, with two different car specifications set to be run before the season begins (pictured is Lewis Hamilton shaking down Ferrari in 2025 at Fiorano).

According to f1-insider.com, the Scuderia will deliberately separate its early testing program into two distinct concepts as it seeks a clean reset after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

Team boss Fred Vasseur has acknowledged that Ferrari will work with clearly divided specifications in the opening weeks, gathering data before committing to a final direction.

Reports from Italy suggest Ferrari will first run a so-called “Spec A” car during the closed Barcelona tests at the end of January. That version is expected to prioritize power unit integration, electronics, and the complex new energy management systems, with outright performance taking a back seat to reliability and data quality.

Only later, during the official Bahrain tests, are Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc expected to drive the more representative “Spec B”, featuring the intended aerodynamic concept, suspension layout, and cooling architecture closer to the race car.

Engine development rumors are also swirling. Auto Motor und Sport reports that Ferrari is trialing a novel cylinder head design for its all-new 2026 power unit. Maranello engineers have apparently been running both conventional aluminum and a heavier steel alloy version on the dynos, with the latter allowing higher pressures and temperatures under the new fuel and boost limits.

The increased minimum engine weight for 2026 appears to have opened the door to that approach, with Ferrari said to be confident enough in durability to now focus fully on the steel concept.

Speaking on Sky Italia, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “It’s important for Ferrari to react in time and not pretend that fourth place is normal,” he said. “We need a strong Ferrari, and the team deserves to be in a stronger position.”

Former Ferrari driver Arturo Merzario, meanwhile, criticized Charles Leclerc in La Repubblica while defending Hamilton, arguing the Briton has not lost his talent but simply “gave up” during a difficult 2025 season.

As for Leclerc, Merzario said: “Leclerc is an excellent driver but not a phenomenon. Not a genius, like Hamilton.

“Enzo Ferrari would never even have considered allowing Leclerc to cross the threshold at Maranello.”

Editor’s Note: By all accounts Arturo Merzario was a true Formula 1 wanker who now is talking nonsensical. During his F1 career, which spanned from 1972 to 1979 and included driving for several different teams besides Ferrari, Merzario did not record any wins, podiums, or pole positions. His best F1 result was a fourth-place finish, which he achieved three times during his career (one of which was with the Iso Marlboro team). He was so bad Ferrari would never let him race one of their F1 cars.

Hamilton, who turned 41 this week, struck a reflective note on social media, writing: “I’m conscious that we’re entering the Year of the Horse and leaving behind the Year of the Snake.”

Former driver Ralf Schumacher also weighed in via f1-insider.com, suggesting Hamilton has changed under sustained pressure. “Formula 1 changes people,” he said. “Lewis is under a lot of pressure from all sides.

“There are a lot of external factors. That’s why, for a long time now, he wears a helmet when he can when he’s around the paddock. He’s just a different type. Charles Leclerc, for example, is very considerate. He’s open and friendly.

“Lewis just ignores me in the paddock,” Schumacher concluded.

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Matt Bishop worked with Hamilton when he was chief communications officer at McLaren and is now a columnist for Motor Sport Magazine.

Bishop is ‘troubled’ by the possibility that Hamilton’s career might ‘peter out unimpressively’ in a repeat of Michael Schumacher’s F1 comeback with Mercedes.

Hamilton’s fellow seven-time world champion returned to the sport in 2010, having initially retired in 2006. He added another podium to his record and set the fastest lap in 2012 Monaco qualifying (before a gearbox penalty was applied), but was largely outperformed by younger teammate Nico Rosberg.

Now there are ‘many in F1’ who ‘quietly’ fear that Hamilton is ‘facing a similar fate’, particularly because Ferrari are still a ‘few seasons away’ from reaching a contending level.