Ferrari reportedly ending SF-25 development as focus shifts to 2026 F1 car under Lewis Hamilton’s influence
Ferrari are reportedly already looking to halt the development of the SF-25 challenger. The Italian team could be switching their focus to the 2026 car, after a disappointing start to the 2025 season. Even their star driver, Lewis Hamilton, has backed the idea of switching their attention to next year’s car, earlier than usual.
The 2026 F1 season will usher in a new era of the sport. New engine regulations, coupled with a few tweaks to the aerodynamic regulations, are expected to shake up the field. Many teams have admitted to having switched their focus onto their 2026 cars, with big expectations. This is reportedly what Ferrari are also planning to do.
Ferrari focusing on 2026?
Reports coming out of Italy, and as reported by PlanetF1, have suggested that Ferrari claim ‘internal operations’ relating to the SF-25 ‘are close to ending’. While they have also branded the ongoing development of the current car as ‘very dynamic’.
This suggests that while the Scuderia may look to bring smaller changes to their current car during the remainder of the season, a big change is unlikely. Instead, a majority of their resources will be freed up for their 2026 challenger, branded Project 678.
This means that the entirety of the limited time they spend in the wind tunnel, could now be dedicated to the 2026 car. With Ferrari making their own engines, they also have to optimize in this area. The 2026 regulations are being seen as power-unit centric, meaning a strong engine could go a long way.
Lewis Hamilton claims he will soon push the team to switch focus to 2026
Speaking to the media recently, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has claimed that he would soon push his team to switch their focus onto the 2026 car. The Briton has not had a great start to life at his new team, after joining in 2025.
Speaking during the Spanish GP recently, Hamilton shared his thoughts on when Ferrari should switch their focus onto 2026. [via PlanetF1]
“If I’m honest, I don’t know what upgrades we have coming [in 2025], but we haven’t had an upgrade for some time. We’ll keep pushing with what we have, but before too soon I will just be saying: ‘Let’s focus on next year.’”
“So we’re building a foundation this year, learning about the tools, the structures, our processes and just nailing those, so then when we arrive next year we will be with the car that we really want.” he added.
Hamilton also shared that Ferrari are already working on the 2026 challenger. This is not much of a revelation though, as all 11 teams are expected to already be developing their 2026 cars.
Early reports suggest that Mercedes are set to have an advantage next year, thanks to their power unit development. Ferrari are also expected to be competitive. Reports from around Honda have suggested that the Japanese company may be struggling with the development of their engines. They will be working exclusively with Aston Martin starting in 2026.
The biggest unknowns for next season are Audi and Red Bull. Sauber will transition into Audi, with them being their own engine suppliers, for the first time in F1. While Red Bull will continue developing their own power units, but now in partnership with Ford.
