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Ted Kravitz Spots Key Detail ‘Straight Away’ as Lewis Hamilton Completes First Laps in Ferrari’s 2026 SF-26
Ferrari’s long-awaited 2026 challenger made its first public appearance on Friday as the Scuderia unveiled the SF-26 at Fiorano, before Lewis Hamilton climbed into the cockpit and completed the car’s initial shakedown laps. The moment marked another significant chapter in Ferrari’s high-stakes reset ahead of Formula 1’s sweeping regulation overhaul, and it did not take long for Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz to notice something striking as Hamilton rolled out of the garage for the first time.
The launch itself carried extra weight by Ferrari standards. Any new Ferrari attracts attention, but the SF-26 represents far more than a routine car reveal. It is the product of a strategic gamble that has seen the team effectively sacrifice short-term gains in order to target long-term success. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur made the call early in the 2025 season to halt development on that year’s car, concluding that it would not be capable of challenging consistently for titles. Instead, resources were redirected toward 2026, a season that introduces the biggest technical shake-up Formula 1 has seen in decades.
For Hamilton, the shakedown was his first taste of Ferrari’s interpretation of the new rules. When he joined the Scuderia, the seven-time world champion spoke optimistically about Ferrari having “every ingredient” required to win championships. Reality soon tempered that optimism, but the arrival of the SF-26 signals the true beginning of the project Hamilton signed up for. His calm installation laps around Fiorano were not about lap times, but about systems checks, balance feedback, and laying the groundwork for what Ferrari hope will be a genuine title-contending era.
Watching closely from trackside, Kravitz immediately picked up on visual changes that underline how different the 2026 generation of cars is. Speaking on Sky Sports News, he described the SF-26 as appearing “smaller” and noticeably different in proportion compared to its predecessors. That impression aligns with the new aerodynamic philosophy introduced for 2026, which aims to reduce overall drag, promote closer racing, and fundamentally alter how cars generate performance.
One aesthetic detail that stood out was Ferrari’s revised visual identity. The SF-26 features more white across the engine cover, a subtle but deliberate shift that has already sparked debate among fans. Some observers have drawn comparisons with Ferrari’s 2016 livery, a season that ultimately yielded no victories despite high expectations. While livery similarities carry no technical meaning, they highlight the emotional scrutiny Ferrari inevitably faces whenever it embarks on a new era.
However, the detail that caught Kravitz’s attention “straight away” was not just visual. As Hamilton circulated Fiorano, the rear wing behaviour was immediately apparent. Under the 2026 regulations, cars feature active aerodynamic elements designed to improve efficiency and overtaking. Kravitz pointed out the opening of the rear wing, a characteristic movement that will become a familiar sight this season as teams exploit the new rules. It is a clear visual signal that Formula 1 has entered a different technical age.
Sound, too, played a major role in the first impressions. The SF-26’s engine note was impossible to ignore, and Kravitz was quick to comment on it. The 2026 power units mark a fundamental shift, with a near 50/50 split between electrical and combustion power, the removal of the MGU-H, and the adoption of fully sustainable fuels. While the electrical contribution has increased, the absence of the MGU-H has altered how the engines sound, amplifying the internal combustion element.
Kravitz described the Ferrari’s engine as “louder” and “more raspy,” with a noticeably crisper tone than recent hybrid units. He explained that the removal of the turbine-linked MGU-H has changed the way energy flows through the turbocharger, resulting in a more raw and aggressive sound. Similar observations were made when Mercedes ran their own 2026 car earlier in the week, suggesting this new auditory character will define the next era of Formula 1.
For Ferrari, these first laps are symbolic rather than conclusive. No conclusions can be drawn about competitiveness from a shakedown, but the SF-26 represents hope, intent, and a clear break from the past. It is also the car Ferrari believe can finally end a title drought that stretches back to Kimi Räikkönen’s drivers’ championship in 2007 and the constructors’ crown in 2008.
As Hamilton continues to integrate into Ferrari’s long-term vision, moments like this shakedown matter. The sight of a Ferrari that looks different, sounds different, and behaves differently on track is exactly what the team wanted to project. And if Ted Kravitz’s immediate observations are any indication, the SF-26 is already announcing, in both sight and sound, that Formula 1 has truly turned a page. 🏎️🔥
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