Elkann and Vigna outline the path forward: success in the FIA World Endurance Championship is now seen as the operational blueprint to be transferred into Formula 1, with the goal of returning to victory immediately, without excuses or long timelines.
From the shareholders’ meeting held in Amsterdam comes a clear signal that Maranello has been waiting for: Ferrari is speaking openly again about winning. Not as a generic aspiration, but as an operational objective.
The words of Benedetto Vigna and John Elkann draw a straight line: the reference point is internal, and it is the winning model built in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Formula 1 is, implicitly, expected to replicate it.
CEO Benedetto Vigna highlighted what he described as “encouraging signals” from the Australian, Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.
Ferrari, Vigna’s words on Formula 1
“With podiums in each of the first three weekends, we are seeing the first encouraging signs of our work under the new regulations,” said the manager from Potenza.
“In the world of racing, our goal remains simple: we race to win,” he added. “We are expanding our competitive arena to the sea, while confirming our full commitment to the World Endurance Championship and Formula 1.”
These words break with a certain level of communication caution that had characterised Ferrari in the previous season. Benedetto Vigna explicitly speaks about victory, linking the progress of the single-seater to the new regulations: a significant statement, as it reflects structural confidence in the technical project rather than isolated results.
But it is in the remarks from chairman John Elkann that the picture becomes complete and takes on a more strategic direction.
Ferrari – John Elkann’s words
“At Scuderia Ferrari, we know that racing also means learning and progressing. After a season below our ambitions, in 2026 we started a new championship under new regulations. We face it with unity and determination, focused on the work needed to come back stronger.” This was stated by the Exor chairman, who also recalled that “November 8 was a moment of pure joy for all of us and for fans around the world.”
“Fifty years after our last absolute world title in endurance, Ferrari has won both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The emotion is visible on our faces. It is the result of talent and teamwork, at the end of a season that also saw the 499P achieve a third consecutive victory at Le Mans, another extraordinary milestone in our history.”
The reference is not purely celebratory. Elkann clearly identifies what worked: talent, teamwork, technical continuity, and organisational stability. This is the Endurance programme paradigm, crowned by the success of the 499P and victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which becomes an internal benchmark.
Ferrari: the winning model is already at home
In other words, Ferrari does not need to invent a new model to win again in Formula 1. It needs to replicate what has already proven successful elsewhere. This shifts the narrative away from generic “rebuilding” towards a more concrete logic: transferring operational methods, processes, and performance culture.
In this sense, the statements from Benedetto Vigna and John Elkann are not simple shareholder messages. They are both industrial and sporting direction signals. The Formula 1 division is being asked to make a qualitative leap that goes beyond on-track performance and concerns the very way performance is built.
The key factor now is time. Because if Ferrari’s core business is to win, as clearly reaffirmed without ambiguity, it is equally evident that Maranello no longer wants to afford long, unfinished cycles. The objective is no longer just to become competitive again: it is to win. And, if possible, to do it immediately. This time, Ferrari is not hiding.
The focus at Maranello has therefore shifted toward a unified vision of excellence, bridging the gap between their endurance triumphs and their Formula 1 ambitions. By implementing the rigorous standards and collaborative spirit seen in the WEC, Ferrari aims to ensure that their pursuit of the 2026 World Championship is both methodical and successful.
Leave a Reply