Ferrari supporters were left uneasy after early footage of the team’s 2026 challenger sparked fears of a potential mechanical setback only hours after its official unveiling. With anticipation already fragile following recent struggles, the sight of the new car stationary so soon after launch triggered immediate anxiety among the Scuderia’s global fanbase.
As the 2026 Formula One season edges closer, teams have begun revealing radically redesigned machines shaped by sweeping regulatory changes. Among the most striking updates is a mandate requiring over half of each car’s surface to be painted or wrapped, a rule that has significantly altered both aesthetics and aerodynamic philosophy compared to previous generations.
Ferrari’s reveal carried particular weight given the disappointment of the last two campaigns, which have tested the patience of even the most loyal tifosi. Enthusiasm quickly turned to concern, however, when clips emerged online showing the SF-26 halted on Ferrari’s own Fiorano test circuit shortly after its debut run.
The Italian outfit showcased the car during a controlled shakedown event, unveiling a polished red-and-white livery across social media. Lewis Hamilton, beginning a new chapter with Ferrari, was the first to take the SF-26 out in damp conditions, with Charles Leclerc scheduled to follow later in the day. Yet footage of mechanics assisting the motionless car back toward the garage fueled speculation that the session had not unfolded as planned.
Despite the online panic, reports from Sky Sports Italy suggested the stoppage was procedural rather than problematic, with Hamilton simply exhausting his permitted test mileage. Sky Sports F1 analyst Ted Kravitz further calmed nerves, noting his positive impression of the car’s early behavior, particularly its sharper, louder engine note, while emphasizing that the outing was merely an initial shakedown rather than a full performance test.
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