Why Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may struggle to help Ferrari develop a competitive car under 2026 F1 rules
Ferrari’s ongoing struggles in the 2025 Formula 1 season suggest that even with the introduction of the 2026 regulations, the Scuderia may not achieve the breakthroughs they need. Experts believe that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s feedback may not be sufficient to help Ferrari elevate their car to the level required to challenge the top teams. This has raised concerns among fans and insiders about the Italian team’s ability to capitalize on next year’s major technical overhaul.
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, Ferrari, like many of their rivals, shifted their focus toward 2026. The upcoming season will feature the most extensive revision of the Formula 1 rulebook in decades, introducing sweeping changes to engine architecture, aerodynamics, chassis design, and tyre regulations. For Ferrari, 2026 will also mark a new chapter as they supply power units to both Haas and the newly introduced Cadillac team. Additionally, it will be the first year that technical director Loic Serra fully leads the design of Ferrari’s challenger car.
Serra joined Ferrari too late to influence the SF-25, the team’s 2025 car. So far this season, Charles Leclerc has claimed all five of Ferrari’s podium finishes, highlighting his ability to extract performance despite the car’s limitations. Ferrari is currently the only team among the top four in 2025 without a Grand Prix victory, while Lewis Hamilton has yet to finish higher than fourth place, emphasizing the challenges both drivers face with the SF-25.
Ferrari’s development hindered by driver feedback
The SF-25 has also suffered from questionable technical decisions, including a rear suspension upgrade introduced at Spa in July, led by Loic Serra. This modification, intended to improve the car, ultimately proved counterproductive, as Ferrari chose it over additional aerodynamic upgrades. With these choices, the car no longer responds effectively to setup changes, leaving engineers with limited options to enhance performance during the season.
Former F1 driver Derek Daly, who competed for Tyrrell and Williams, has voiced concerns about Ferrari’s ability to develop their car with Hamilton and Leclerc behind the wheel. Daly believes both drivers excel as “instant reflex” drivers but lack the sensitivity needed to provide detailed engineering feedback. According to Derek Daly, top teams typically rely on a complementary driver pairing: one who can push the car to its absolute limit and another who can feel subtle issues, articulate them, and guide development. Derek Daly suggests that Ferrari currently has two drivers of the first type, which limits the team’s ability to improve the car.
Derek Daly feels that top F1 teams need a balance between raw speed and feedback skills. He explained that reflex-driven drivers like Hamilton and Leclerc push the car to its maximum in every session, but they may not convey the nuanced information engineers require to optimize vehicle performance. As a result, he predicts that Ferrari’s development challenges are unlikely to be resolved in 2026, regardless of the regulation changes.
The 2026 regulations and Ferrari’s development gamble
Ferrari will only be able to test Daly’s theory when their 2026 challenger is revealed and runs on track. The Scuderia intentionally stopped major development on the SF-25 early in the season to conserve wind tunnel and R&D resources for next year’s car. The rear suspension upgrade in July represents the last significant update to the 2025 car. This strategic choice left Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with fewer opportunities to influence car development, contributing to a less engaging season for both drivers.
While the Briton continues to demonstrate his racing skill, the lack of car development has limited his ability to influence improvements. Similarly, his Maranello teammate technical input may be constrained by the nature of his driving style, leaving Ferrari without the detailed feedback typically necessary to accelerate development. The effectiveness of having two reflex-oriented drivers will only become clear once the 2026 car undergoes testing, starting with the pre-season sessions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in January.
As Ferrari prepares for a critical season under the new regulations, questions remain about whether their driver lineup can provide the insights needed to create a championship-winning car. The 2026 technical reset presents an opportunity for the Scuderia to regain competitiveness, but it also exposes potential limitations in how Hamilton and Leclerc interact with the engineering team. Formula 1 fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether Ferrari can overcome these development hurdles and return to the front of the grid.
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