Ferrari already know who to blame if the 2026 F1 car struggles
Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign was a stark reminder that even the most storied teams can falter. The SF-25 may have delivered seven podium finishes for Charles Leclerc, but it failed to win a single race, leaving the Scuderia’s ambitions unfulfilled. The root cause of the underperformance was a flawed car design, which forced Ferrari to run the SF-25 above its optimal ride height to protect the underbody and avoid disqualification for excessive floor wear.
This approach hit Lewis Hamilton hard when he was disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix for the same technical breach. Following that incident, Ferrari adopted a more conservative setup, sacrificing valuable lap time in the process. The team has since identified Enrico Cardile, the engineer responsible for the original SF-25 concept, as the main figure behind the missteps. Enrico Cardile, who ultimately chose to leave Ferrari for Aston Martin, left a significant gap in the Scuderia’s technical leadership at a critical juncture.
Key departures destabilized Ferrari’s technical team
The transition period in 2024, with Enrico Cardile leaving and Loic Serra unable to begin work until autumn, created a notable void in Ferrari’s technical operations. Team principal Fred Vasseur had to manage the department on an interim basis, which likely contributed to some of the SF-25’s strategic and design errors. Unfortunately for Ferrari, history seems to be repeating itself as the team approaches the 2026 season.
Ferrari has recently lost key power unit engineers in the run-up to the 2026 campaign. Most prominently, Wolf Zimmerman, head of engine development, and his deputy Lars Schmidt were both recruited by F1 newcomers Audi. Although Ferrari has filled these positions, the disruption raises concerns over whether Maranello will fall behind rivals like Mercedes in power unit performance. The departures of these senior engineers could become a convenient explanation if the Scuderia struggles to match the pace of their main competitors.
Mixed signals on Ferrari’s 2026 engine
Early reports about Ferrari’s 2026 power unit are giving fans and insiders mixed feelings. Julianne Cerasoli of UOL suggested that initial feedback on the new engine is “not very encouraging,” highlighting the challenge for teams that may lack horsepower. While additional development allowances could help Ferrari catch up, it is expected to take time before any gains translate to track performance.
Other sources indicate that Ferrari’s power unit is performing well on the dyno, but until the cars hit the asphalt, it is impossible to know the real-world impact. The first pre-season test in Barcelona will be held behind closed doors, followed by two public testing sessions in Bahrain in February. Ferrari are set to unveil their 2026 livery on January 23, giving fans the first official glimpse of the team’s new look and technical direction for the season ahead.
As the Scuderia prepares to enter a new era of Formula 1, the combination of leadership changes, technical disruptions, and cautious development choices means Ferrari will be under intense scrutiny. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the cockpit, the tifosi will be watching closely to see whether Maranello can return to the front of the grid in 2026 or if history will repeat itself.
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