Beyond the strong performance shown during the Bahrain pre-season tests, another important element seems to have changed at Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton appear to have learned from the mistakes of the past and can now realistically aim for the world championship.
Ferrari head into the 2026 Formula 1 season encouraged by the positive signals that emerged from testing in Bahrain. The Italian team demonstrated impressive consistency and reliability, while drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton displayed a mix of caution and confidence — two crucial ingredients in a serious title fight.
The Scuderia’s two spearheads, unlike in 2025 when the winter was marked by bold proclamations and ambitious statements, have chosen to adopt a far more measured approach compared to last year. Their comments have been simple and controlled, never revealing too much about the true potential of the SF-26, a car that was clearly born under a promising star. This shift in tone has been warmly received by the Tifosi, who were left burned by the illusions of the previous championship and are eager to see the Prancing Horse return to consistent title contention — something that has been missing for nearly two decades.
Ferrari’s communication highlights the growth of Leclerc and Hamilton
Communication was one of the key topics discussed by Pino Allievi during the latest episode of the podcast “Terruzzi racconta”. The experienced Italian journalist focused in particular on the statements made by the two Ferrari drivers during the Bahrain tests.
“The good news in my opinion is Charles Leclerc’s silence. Especially because Charles was really fast in all conditions. Every time he got in the car, he put it ahead of everyone. And Charles Leclerc, who in these days has been the most cautious of all, a year ago in front of the Castello Sforzesco in Milan had been the first to say he wanted to aim for both titles. This time instead he was cautious, prudent.”
Allievi then turned his attention to the seven-time world champion. “Hamilton perhaps exaggerated a bit in saying that he conceived this car himself. Lewis let himself go with some phrases that now put him in a position where he has to win the world championship. I saw a very confident Lewis Hamilton, someone who also gives a lot of confidence to the team. He remains a seven-time world champion and we know he is not someone who speaks without knowing what he is talking about,” Pino Allievi stated.
Beyond the lap times — which at this stage of the season still need to be taken with caution — the change in attitude within Ferrari represents a positive foundation on which to build this crucial 2026 campaign. It is a season of fundamental importance for the future of the Maranello-based team. Without concrete results, several key figures could be facing an uncertain future, including Hamilton himself and team principal Frédéric Vasseur.
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