Ferrari technical director Loïc Serra sees the new regulations as an important opportunity for the team to distinguish itself technically. The SF-26 is the first Ferrari to be developed entirely under his technical leadership and has already brought several notable innovations this season. Serra emphasizes that the successes achieved are the result of teamwork, but nevertheless cautions against premature conclusions about the pace of the Scuderia.
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“The introduction of new regulations offers, at least in the initial phase, more room for innovation,” Serra explains in an interview with Autosprint. “Usually, technical possibilities stagnate towards the end of a regulatory cycle,” he added. “I am especially happy that the ideas of certain technicians have actually been developed. There is a positive trend internally, which is very important for the entire development and production chain. I do not want to take all the credit,” he emphasized. “The teamwork is what makes this job so beautiful.”
Ferrari draws no early conclusions
“Still, I would not want to say that the team has changed its approach compared to the recent past,” he noted. “On the contrary, I think all teams can only work this way.” One of Ferrari’s most talked-about innovations is the ‘Macarena rear wing,’ which reduces drag on the straights. However, the team is far from finished innovating. Serra therefore cautions against premature conclusions about the new car’s performance and his own influence on the team’s technical direction.
“We are only halfway through the season, so I want to wait and see where we stand at the end of the year,” he said. “We knew that this year we had to build a car with a lot of room for development, given the new regulations. At the moment, we are still fully in the development phase, so everything is very dynamic. There is still much to discover, and we must remain open to new ideas and curious about ways to continuously improve the car.” Again, he remained modest about his own role. “Honestly, I don’t think individuals make the difference. Nothing can be specifically attributed to me. We work, win, and lose as a team, and that takes precedence over individuality.”
Both Ferrari drivers reap benefits from development
Ferrari has already achieved two wins in 2026, compared to no victories in the previous season. However, Serra does not want to directly compare those results and focuses mainly on the development of the SF-26. He is satisfied with the collaboration between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. “You cannot compare both seasons,” he explained. “Wins are not a factor we directly control, but we do consider the effectiveness of the developments we implement.”
“It is very positive that the SF-26 has proven successful in the hands of both drivers,” Serra concluded. “Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton express themselves in different ways, but the input we get from them is often the same. When Ferrari introduces a development on the track, they both improve.”
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