Ferrari implement drastic changes with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc feedback

Aside from the sweeping new aerodynamic and power unit regulations, the 2026 technical revolution also affects elements that we might have thought would not require major changes.

Ferrari has offered an early insight into how F1's rules reset is reshaping even the most familiar elements of an F1 car, with a radical redesign of its steering wheel.

Often described as the driver's 'office', the steering wheel has been fundamentally rethought as teams prepare for the introduction of active aerodynamics and new power unit energy management rules.

While the basic concept of the wheel remains unchanged, the way drivers interact with the car is set to evolve significantly.

Under the 2026 regulations, managing energy deployment will become a critical part of every lap. Drivers will need to carefully control power unit usage on a near sector-by-sector basis to ensure sufficient electrical energy is available for the straights.

At the same time, active aerodynamics will require drivers to manually activate a low-drag 'straight-line' mode at the start of each straight.

The sheer frequency of these actions has forced Ferrari to rethink how information and controls are laid out. On its new car, many of the functions previously spread across the wheel have been consolidated.

Driver-led feedback

Controls linked to energy recovery, deployment and electronic strategies have now been grouped into just three rotary switches, positioned beneath the central display.

That screen continues to show key data such as the selected gear and live telemetry, including tyre temperatures gathered from the car's sensors. The result is a cleaner, more streamlined interface designed to reduce driver workload at high speed.

As part of the redesign, the new Ferrari steering wheel is also smaller, with a reduced lower section. This marks a clear departure from the previous layout, which featured six rotary switches and a bulkier overall shape.

Crucially, the changes have been driven by extensive feedback from Ferrari's drivers. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have already tested the new layout in the simulator, providing continuous input as the design evolved.

Both drivers pushed for improvements in ergonomics, ensuring the most frequently used controls remain intuitive and easily accessible.

Ferrari is not yet considering the design as final. Further refinements are expected during pre-season testing as the team works towards locking in the definitive layout ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.