Former Ferrari engineer analyses team’s progress: “The SF-26 has improved, but it still needs more”. Luigi Mazzola reveals why Ferrari is faster—but not yet fast enough.

Charles Leclerc’s victory at Silverstone has restored optimism among Ferrari supporters, but does it really prove that the Scuderia has turned its season around?

In an exclusive interview with NewsF1, former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola analysed the Scuderia’s current form, explaining why the SF-26 has taken an important step forward while still falling short of the level required to dominate the championship.

Ferrari has improved, but there is still work to do

According to Mazzola, the upgrades introduced by Ferrari are finally delivering tangible results: “Ferrari has definitely taken a step forward, it has definitely improved its car, and it has definitely gone in the right direction to improve performance.”

His comments underline how the work carried out by the team in Maranello is finally producing the desired results after a season that initially featured both encouraging performances and frustrating setbacks.

However, the former Ferrari engineer believes the team has not yet completed the final step needed to become the benchmark.

“To win, you always need something extra”

While acknowledging the progress made by the SF-26, Luigi Mazzola also urged caution: “Ferrari is certainly competitive, and I’ve said that since the beginning. But to win, you always need something extra.”

It is an observation that perfectly reflects the current balance of Formula 1, where even the smallest detail can make the difference between victory and a difficult weekend.

Silverstone confirms Ferrari’s progress, but Austria remains a mystery

One of the key topics discussed during the interview was the sharp contrast between Ferrari’s performance at the Red Bull Ring and its much stronger showing just a few days later at Silverstone.

For Luigi Mazzola, the Austrian Grand Prix still stands out as an anomaly: “Austria is strange to me. I don’t know whether Ferrari got something wrong. Normally, it has always been strong there.”

By contrast, Silverstone showcased a much more competitive Ferrari, capable of performing at a high level in both qualifying and race pace.

Energy management makes the difference

According to Luigi Mazzola, one of the decisive factors in modern Formula 1 is electrical energy management.

The former Ferrari engineer emphasised that having an aerodynamically efficient car is no longer enough on its own. The ability to maximise battery usage and optimise energy deployment can dramatically change the competitive order from one circuit to another.

In Mazzola’s view, this is precisely what makes it far more difficult to predict the performance of Formula 1 cars than it was in previous generations.

Ferrari versus Mercedes remains an open battle

The interview also explored Ferrari’s ongoing battle with Mercedes.

Luigi Mazzola believes the German team still possesses an extremely competitive car, but Ferrari finally appears to have found a convincing technical direction with the SF-26. The progress demonstrated at Silverstone is therefore an encouraging sign, although further confirmation will be needed over the coming races before it can be concluded that Ferrari is capable of consistently fighting for victories.

The next races will provide the real answers

The former Ferrari engineer is looking closely at the upcoming rounds of the championship.

Circuits with very different characteristics will reveal whether Ferrari’s recent progress is now firmly established or whether Silverstone simply suited the strengths of the SF-26.

For that reason, the next few Grands Prix will be crucial in assessing the true potential of Ferrari’s challenger and determining whether the Scuderia is genuinely ready to fight at the front on a consistent basis.