Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 campaign has attracted considerable criticism, yet the performances of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tell a more encouraging story than the recent headlines suggest. Despite the SF-26’s weaknesses and the team’s failure to challenge for the world championship, both drivers have delivered remarkable consistency, while the Maranello engineers have demonstrated an ability to develop the car beyond initial expectations.
That progress has been overshadowed by mistakes on the pit wall, difficult race weekends and growing scrutiny of how Ferrari manages its two leading drivers. With the final triple-header of the season approaching, it is worth considering whether the criticism has obscured some of the achievements that have kept the Scuderia near the front of the field.
Ferrari’s 2026 F1 season has delivered more progress than expected
Expectations for the SF-26 were relatively modest before the championship began. Few anticipated a car capable of fighting consistently at the highest level, making Ferrari’s subsequent position among the leading teams a welcome development.
Although the Italian outfit never possessed the package required to fight for the world title, it had the potential to establish itself as the second-best constructor. Ferrari achieved that status convincingly, supported by a development programme that produced innovative technical solutions, including the Macarena and FTM concepts.
The speed at which the engineers introduced improvements also demonstrated the team’s capacity to respond to technical challenges. Several of those developments delivered positive results, even if they rarely received the same attention as the problems that emerged during difficult race weekends.
Recent criticism has instead concentrated on strategic errors, the management of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, and the SF-26’s performance limitations. The problems encountered by Ferrari during the Brazilian Grand Prix provided another reason for frustration, although the car’s difficulties with tyre management were already familiar before the Interlagos weekend.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc statistics underline Ferrari’s consistency
One of Ferrari’s most significant achievements has been the contribution of its two drivers. While Kimi Antonelli has secured the 2026 world championship for Mercedes, five drivers remain involved in the battle for second place in the Drivers’ Championship. Three represent different constructors, while the other two are teammates at Maranello.
Lewis Hamilton occupies fourth position with 261 points, seven podium finishes, one victory and just one retirement. Charles Leclerc is immediately behind in fifth, having accumulated 249 points alongside six podiums, one win and three retirements.
The difference of only 12 points reflects how closely matched the Ferrari pairing has been over the course of the campaign. Both have remained competitive despite the limitations of their machinery, displaying determination and consistency while keeping costly mistakes relatively infrequent compared with their championship rivals.
That does not mean their seasons have been flawless. Both drivers have made significant errors on occasion, and the team’s recent difficulties have exposed areas where improvement is still required. Nevertheless, the overall results illustrate the strength of the partnership and the value of having two drivers capable of delivering consistently.
The season-long performances of the Ferrari pair can be explored in greater detail through the Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc head-to-head statistics, which provide additional context for their closely contested championship positions.
Why Ferrari’s achievements remain overshadowed by championship expectations
The wider Formula 1 narrative has increasingly focused on the accomplishments of Ferrari’s competitors. Kimi Antonelli, at just 20 years old, has returned the Drivers’ World Championship to Italy after a 73-year absence, while Mercedes have reclaimed championship glory. McLaren and especially Red Bull have also attracted attention for their progress during the season.
Against that backdrop, Ferrari’s ability to remain competitive with a car that was not considered a title contender has received comparatively little recognition. Instead, each mistake tends to reinforce the frustration surrounding the team’s continued wait for another championship.
That frustration is understandable. The Scuderia’s history creates expectations that extend beyond respectable points finishes, regular podiums or finishing as the second-best team. Consistency and steady technical progress are valuable achievements, but supporters ultimately want to see Ferrari return to the very top of Formula 1.
Even the most positive assessment of the campaign cannot overlook the gap between Ferrari’s results and its championship ambitions. The tyre-temperature difficulties experienced at Interlagos illustrate why further progress remains necessary despite the team’s earlier development gains.
However, recognising those shortcomings should not prevent Ferrari from receiving credit for what it has achieved. The SF-26 exceeded its initial expectations, its development programme produced encouraging improvements, and both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc maintained strong results throughout a demanding season.
Ultimately, the standard against which Ferrari is judged remains different from that applied to most Formula 1 teams. Supporters are not simply waiting for another consistent campaign or a respectable championship finish. They want to see the Prancing Horse return to the summit, with the flags flying in celebration at Maranello once again.
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