What are Ferrari’s secrets, and above all, what is preventing the Maranello team from turning its history, resources and the talent of its drivers into victories? Those questions were at the heart of a Panathlon Club Milano evening at the Enterprise Hotel, dedicated to the behind-the-scenes realities and challenges of modern Formula 1.
The discussion went well beyond the technical aspects of the cars. Ferrari’s challenges are not hidden only in its engineers’ designs, but also involve people, collaboration, clarity in decision-making and the credibility of those tasked with leading the team. Filippo Grassia, President of Panathlon Club Milano and a long-standing sports journalist, moderated the discussion with two prominent guests: former Formula 1 driver and television commentator Ivan Capelli and experienced motorsport journalist Roberto Boccafogli.
Why are Ferrari’s rivals winning?
The central question was one that many Ferrari supporters continue to ask: why is the Scuderia finding it so difficult to return to winning ways? The conclusion emerging from the discussion was equally clear: Ferrari’s rivals are currently doing a better job, have greater vision and are able to provide more continuity to their projects.
That assessment shifts the focus away from the talent of individual drivers and towards the ability of the entire organisation to operate as one team. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are fast, well prepared and possess extraordinary ability. Talent alone, however, is not enough.
Winning requires a recognisable and coherent project in which technical decisions, race strategies and the work of different departments all converge towards the same objective. Ferrari’s position relative to the other leading teams can also be explored through the Ferrari vs F1 Rivals statistics, while the Scuderia continues working to close the performance gap during the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Ivan Capelli: wearing the Ferrari red jacket is not enough
Ivan Capelli’s reflections on Ferrari’s internal dynamics were among the most significant parts of the evening. Wearing a jacket carrying the Prancing Horse means becoming part of a prestigious history, but a sense of belonging is not enough if disagreements and internal tensions prevail within the organisation.
According to Ivan Capelli, one of the secrets to returning to winning is the quality of leadership. He stressed the need for figures capable of combining authority with genuine credibility. Ferrari does not need authoritarian personalities who impose decisions simply because of their position, but people able to lead through competence, credibility and the ability to earn the trust of those around them.
Authority can come from the position someone holds, while genuine leadership has to be earned through decisions, consistency and respect. That organisational challenge is particularly important as Ferrari continues developing the SF-26, with the team preparing further upgrades for the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Roberto Boccafogli says Ferrari must know how to reinvent itself
Roberto Boccafogli expanded on Ivan Capelli’s analysis by focusing on the evolution of the Maranello team. In his view, Ferrari of the past was capable of building winning strategies, whereas the present-day Scuderia finds itself chasing its rivals while continually searching for new solutions to remain at the top.
Reinventing itself does not mean changing direction at the first sign of difficulty. Instead, Ferrari must be able to recognise its limitations, identify its priorities and develop a coherent path capable of transforming experience into innovation.
The search for new solutions is unavoidable in Formula 1, but it must be accompanied by a stable direction. The secret, therefore, is not simply to innovate. Ferrari must understand where intervention is required, coordinate the expertise available within Maranello and provide continuity to its work.
That need for continuity becomes even more important across a demanding championship schedule, with the remaining rounds and venues available in the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. For Ferrari, the challenge is to ensure that its resources, technical expertise and the abilities of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton become part of one consistent and clearly defined project.
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