Ferrari, Vigna on the return of V8 engines in F1: “Discussions with the FIA have been ongoing for some time”
Ferrari’s conference call with shareholders regarding its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, held on Tuesday, provided a detailed overview not only of the company’s economic health but also of its long-term strategic vision concerning motorsport and technological innovation.
Under the leadership of CEO Benedetto Vigna, the Maranello-based manufacturer confirmed the strength of its operational structure while addressing both the logistical challenges linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis and the regulatory changes affecting Formula 1 now and in the years ahead.
The presentation focused heavily on Ferrari’s ability to maintain an exceptionally strong order book, now stretching towards the end of 2027. This situation allows the company to look ahead with confidence despite a complex geopolitical environment that requires increasingly agile global distribution strategies to guarantee safety and continuity for customers and partners operating in sensitive regions.
Ferrari discusses racing results and the future of Formula 1 engines
The beginning of the 2026 racing season has already delivered podium finishes for Ferrari both in Formula 1 and in the FIA World Endurance Championship. In the WEC, the Italian manufacturer started its home weekend at Imola by securing pole position and a second-place finish in the race.
Vigna reflected on Ferrari’s sporting activities while highlighting the growing economic importance of the racing division:
“We started the 2026 seasons with podiums both in Formula 1, where we are seeing the first encouraging signs of progress under the new regulations, and in WEC, which began at Imola, our home race.”
In Formula 1, Ferrari reached the podium during the opening three races of the season before the more disappointing weekend in Miami. However, from a financial perspective, the racing programme continues to generate strong results.
“Revenue linked to racing activities increased further during the quarter, mainly thanks to higher sponsorship income and the positive contribution from supplying engines to other Formula 1 teams,” the Ferrari CEO explained.
Alongside its factory team, Ferrari currently supplies power units to Haas and new entrant Cadillac, which effectively replaced Sauber after the Swiss outfit transitioned into Audi’s official works team.
Ferrari’s position on a possible return of V8 engines
One of the key talking points during the conference call involved recent rumours surrounding a potential return of V8 engines to Formula 1, a topic reignited following comments made by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Despite the speculation, Ferrari does not appear concerned about any disruption to its long-term planning. Vigna clarified the team’s position regarding the ongoing technical discussions with the FIA:
“We believe in continuing the three-powertrain strategy (combustion, hybrid, and electric, editor’s note). We were already aware of these discussions with the FIA, which have been ongoing for some time.”
He continued:
“I think there is certainly a need to review certain aspects every five years, as happens with FIA regulations, but there will be no implications. There will be no implications either for our road cars or for our overall strategy.”
The comments suggest Ferrari remains committed to maintaining technological diversity while continuing to develop expertise across hybrid and fully electric platforms.
Ferrari expands into sailing with the Hypersail project
Beyond motorsport, Ferrari is also preparing to enter a completely new competitive environment through its Hypersail project.
“Speaking about new beginnings, we recently unveiled the Hypersail livery, a project where innovation, performance, and design research merge together to define a new frontier in ocean sailing,” Vigna added.
The initiative reflects Ferrari’s broader ambition to apply engineering and aerodynamic knowledge developed in motorsport to other high-performance sectors.
Strong financial results despite global challenges
From a purely financial standpoint, Ferrari closed the first quarter with a net profit of €413 million, a figure that remained stable compared to the previous year and exceeded analysts’ expectations.
Although total deliveries fell slightly to 3,436 units, revenues increased by 3% to reach €1.848 billion. Growth was supported by a richer product mix and strong demand for customisation, allowing Ferrari to offset lower sales volumes.
The company’s ability to navigate geopolitical tensions in the Middle East also tested Ferrari’s logistical flexibility, with alternative solutions implemented to preserve operational continuity without negatively affecting regional markets.
Vigna highlighted the effectiveness of Ferrari’s business model:
“Managing the current environment requires an agile approach and, thanks to the flexibility of our geographic allocation, our deliveries in the region remained stable,” he explained.
“This was possible thanks to our global presence and a carefully balanced allocation strategy that guarantees speed across all markets.”
Ferrari’s EBITDA also rose by 4%, reaching €722 million with expanding margins.
Attention turns to the Ferrari Luce era
The next major milestone for Ferrari will arrive on 25 May, when the company officially unveils its first fully electric car in Rome.
The Ferrari Luce is being presented not simply as another new model, but as the symbol of a much broader transformation aimed at redefining high-performance electric mobility while combining Ferrari’s historical DNA with cutting-edge technology derived from racing.
Vigna described the project in particularly ambitious terms:
“The Luce is much more than a model and much more than electric: it is the perfect expression of our purpose to boldly redefine the limits of what is possible.”
He concluded:
“It represents the convergence of incredible technologies and the passion of many people — a unique synthesis between tradition and innovation that will come to life in just a few weeks.”
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