Present at the Bahrain tests, Piero Ferrari refuses to speculate on a potential title win in 2026, despite talk making Ferrari one of the favorites for the new regulatory era in Formula 1.
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The Scuderia has not won the drivers’ title since 2007 nor the constructors’ championship since 2008, but convincing winter testing has placed the Maranello team back among the contenders, alongside Mercedes.
Interviewed by the daily Corriere dello Sport, Piero Ferrari nevertheless calmed expectations: “Let’s keep trying with all our might. But with the new regulations, don’t ask me for a prediction.”
Leclerc, pillar of the project
Long-term optimism remains centered on Charles Leclerc, even if the Monegasque’s patience sometimes seems to be put to the test.
“Yes, he is a very fast driver. Comparisons with his teammates have shown it. He extracts performance from any car, at any time, observes the son of the Commendatore. For me, it’s obvious. All we need now is the satisfaction of seeing him become world champion, because he deserves it. “
Hamilton facing the weight of the Ferrari myth
Lewis Hamilton’s situation appears more complex. His first season in red in 2025 proved disappointing, reviving comparisons with former champions who struggled after arriving in Maranello.
“I think Ferrari provokes a special emotion, even among great champions, admitted Ferrari. Lewis is profoundly different from Charles, but I find it hard to say if he has been overshadowed by the legend of the Prancing Horse.”
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Hamilton himself was cautious about the hierarchy revealed by the tests, in an interview with Corriere della Sera: “The tests revealed little. Everyone was hiding their hand with fuel loads. I even called Toto Wolff and Zak Brown to try to understand what they had understood, but I got nothing ,” he smiled.
Antonelli and the new technical era
Regarding a potential future Italian driver, Ferrari did not close the door to Kimi Antonelli: “It is not forbidden to dream. Antonelli has already proven that he deserves top-level cars. With a little experience, he will certainly become a great driver.”
Regarding the 2026 technical rules, criticized by some drivers including Max Verstappen, Piero Ferrari defends them: “The tests have shown that these cars require understanding. You have to know how to manage energy, but they are more predictable than ground-effect cars. My father would have said: ‘They are more honest.’ Personally, I am convinced that the spectacle will not suffer, on the contrary.”
This position is part of the manufacturer’s global electrification strategy: “It was necessary to produce an electric Ferrari. We must keep pace with new technologies.”
In short, despite the favorite label, Ferrari is adopting a measured stance. The goal remains the top, but in Maranello, they prefer to talk about work, adaptation, and progression rather than premature promises.
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