F1 2026: Benedetto Vigna urges patience before judging Ferrari. Benedetto Vigna tempers expectations for Ferrari's 2026 campaign.

The Ferrari CEO expects an “interesting” 2026 season for Formula 1.

Keeping a low profile

The smiles on the faces of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton after the Formula 1 shakedown in Barcelona were genuine. According to whispers emerging from Maranello, there is cautious optimism about what has been seen so far from the SF-26, with a positive mood that is certainly stronger than the first on-track impressions of last year.

Despite all the checks carried out in Barcelona going smoothly, a low profile remains the chosen approach at the start of the 2026 campaign. Mercedes, in particular, is being viewed with a certain degree of concern, not least because of the significant mileage the Silver Arrows have already completed. The Bahrain tests, which get underway today, will begin to provide some initial answers, at least regarding the early phase of the new Formula 1 World Championship.

Vigna calls for unity

During a conference call with financial analysts, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna was asked about the team’s prospects for the upcoming season. “2026 will be interesting for Formula 1, because everything changes. But for now let’s wait, we have only done the tests in Barcelona. The first real tests will be this week and next in Bahrain, so we will see. The team needs to work in a unique and cohesive way to achieve results, as we did in the WEC.”

Benedetto Vigna then continued, as reported by La Stampa, focusing on the major changes introduced in Formula 1: “The cars are different, the engines are different, the suspensions are different. Before there were two electric motors and now there is one, the one that remains is more powerful, the tyres are different, everything has changed in that sense. Then we will also have sustainable fuels. So it will certainly give fans the opportunity to see different things. The car is smaller and therefore it should also allow for easier overtaking, in a simpler way. And then there will also be one more team, 11, so there will be 22 cars on track instead of 20. For this reason, the probability of overtaking increases.”

As the SF-26 prepares for its first true high-speed test under the desert sun, the emphasis from the top remains on unity and precision. With a grid expanded to 22 cars and a completely new power unit philosophy, Ferrari’s ability to translate their WEC-style synergy into F1 success will be the defining story of their 2026 campaign.