Ferrari has named its 2026 car the SF-26 ahead of a January 23 launch in Maranello. For bettors, early markets may shorten for Ferrari in race-winner and constructors markets if preseason testing impresses, while Hamilton’s championship odds could stay long — value may lie in backing him for podiums or sprint wins rather than the outright title.
Ferrari reveals 2026 challenger as SF-26
Ferrari confirmed the official name of its 2026 Formula 1 car as the SF-26. The "SF" denotes Scuderia Ferrari and the "26" marks the season in which the car will compete. The naming follows last year’s SF-25 and signals continuity as the team transitions to the new technical regulations and a fresh development cycle.
Season launch set for January 23 in Maranello
Ferrari will unveil the SF-26 at its Maranello base on Friday, January 23. That date coincides with Alpine’s planned launch in Barcelona, while Haas shifted its launch forward to Monday, January 19 to avoid clashing with multiple team reveals.
Hamilton pins hopes on the new car
Lewis Hamilton, now 41, faces crucial months after a chastening 2025 campaign that produced no Grand Prix podiums. The Brit’s only race victory in 2025 came via a surprise Sprint win in China. Charles Leclerc managed seven Grand Prix podiums in 2025 but failed to convert any into wins, underscoring Ferrari’s mixed form last year.
Can Hamilton still deliver a title?
Much of Hamilton’s hope for a resurgence rests on Ferrari delivering a genuinely competitive SF-26. His former performance engineer, Jock Clear, expressed confidence in Hamilton’s resilience: "He just needs time. Lewis is not going to give up just because 2025 was tough. He foresaw it being very tough. Hamilton will come back stronger and harder next year, work on the development, and do everything he can do to see the project through."
Betting implications and market outlook
Punters should watch preseason testing and the January launch closely. If the SF-26 posts strong early runs, expect shortened odds for Ferrari in race-winner and constructors markets. Given Hamilton’s difficult 2025, outright title odds for him may remain longer, making podium or sprint-win markets potentially better value. Consider season props such as Ferrari finishing in the top-three of the constructors standings or backing Hamilton for a limited number of podiums rather than the championship; early-season volatility can also create advantageous price swings.
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