For some, Ferrari is headed for disaster in 2026, and now an alarming claim is circulating that is stirring nerves in Maranello ahead of the season: “They are developing two…”
The Scuderia from Maranello is preparing for the 2026 season in deep winter silence. Ferrari will officially unveil the SF-26 at Fiorano on January 23, but a worrying rumor suggests the Italian team could be in trouble from the very start of the championship.
As always, there are many rumors surrounding the Prancing Horse. Often, these claims are false, particularly those coming from former drivers or individuals who have never had the privilege of driving for Ferrari. Currently, Ferrari is undergoing an internal reorganization, which also involves the WEC division, fresh winners of the Hypercar World Championship. The SF-26 promises innovation in several technical areas, including the livery. The wait is nearly over, and even though Frederic Vasseur’s low-profile approach aims to keep the team out of the spotlight, some voices are already sounding the alarm, explaining why Ferrari could struggle in 2026.
“Leclerc and Hamilton have different opinions”
“The disaster, as is already hinted between the lines, seems to be Ferrari once again. That’s what stands out the most. They are developing two cars, and I can almost imagine why, given that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have completely different opinions about the car. If that’s the case, it’s a disaster from the start. I’ve always said it because you can’t develop two cars,” said Ralf Schumacher on the latest episode of the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast, produced by Sky Germany.
This scenario is highly unlikely, as car development is indeed influenced by drivers’ feedback, but in the era of the budget cap, an F1 team cannot afford to build two completely different cars. Moreover, it would be a waste of resources. At Fiorano and during the Barcelona tests, we will see an initial version of the SF-26, and in Bahrain, a B version with updates—but no complete overhaul.
Frédéric Vasseur’s future linked to results
Another point raised by Schumacher concerned the possible departure of Frederic Vasseur if he fails to deliver a competitive car on track. “Everything depends on the team’s performance. We have to wait and see how the tests go and also the first two races. Obviously, if things don’t go well, then decisions will have to be made. Everything was focused on this year. We were told that from China onwards there would be nothing else, only the new car, so the expectation is to be more competitive. If that doesn’t happen, there will be changes. I’m quite sure of that. But everyone knows. It’s not a new story at Ferrari. There’s a remarkable statistic about how many team principals there have been and how many drivers have been replaced.”
As the SF-26 prepares to break cover on January 23, these rumors highlight the immense pressure resting on Vasseur’s shoulders to manage two of the sport’s greatest talents. Whether Schumacher’s “disaster” prediction holds weight or is merely paddock gossip will be proven the moment the cars hit the track. For the Tifosi, the hope remains that the internal reorganization will lead to a new era of stability rather than another cycle of premature departures and technical confusion.
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