Ferrari have outscored Mercedes by 142 points to 135 across the past five Grands Prix, a seven-point advantage highlighted by team principal Frédéric Vasseur as he assessed the opening 11 rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The Scuderia remain second in both championships, with Lewis Hamilton occupying second place in the Drivers’ standings and Ferrari holding the same position among the constructors.
Ferrari have collected two victories and nine podium finishes so far, but the team’s position after the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix can be viewed from two very different perspectives. The three-week break before the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort therefore offers an ideal opportunity to take stock of the season.
Ferrari’s 2026 season: glass half empty or half full?
Assessing the work completed by Frédéric Vasseur and his team is far from straightforward. Ferrari began the campaign with a clear performance deficit to Mercedes, but gradually managed to reduce that gap as the season developed.
The victories in Barcelona and Silverstone were two outstanding and relatively unexpected highlights. By contrast, the weekends in Monte Carlo and Budapest proved deeply disappointing for the Italian team.
Ferrari’s progress can consequently be viewed as a glass-half-full sign of growth and a reason for optimism. The alternative interpretation focuses on the glass being half empty, particularly because the Scuderia have once again begun a new regulatory cycle chasing their rivals. Ferrari currently trail Mercedes by 72 points in the Constructors’ Championship, while Lewis Hamilton faces a 50-point deficit in the Drivers’ standings.
Frédéric Vasseur: Ferrari outscored Mercedes over five races
Speaking to journalists during his traditional media briefing at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Frédéric Vasseur divided Ferrari’s season so far into two distinct phases.
“I would say that the first part of the season probably unfolded in two phases,” the Ferrari team principal explained. “The first lasted until Spain, when Mercedes were unbeatable, having scored around 100 points more than us over four or five races. From Spain onwards, when we returned to the track, we scored more points than Mercedes across those four or five races.”
“If I had to draw a conclusion based on today, at the Hungarian Grand Prix, I would say that we need to improve our execution. However, our execution has been quite good from the beginning of the season up to now.”
The points behind Ferrari’s recent progress
After the Monaco Grand Prix, the sixth round of the season, Mercedes led the Constructors’ Championship with 244 points. Ferrari occupied second place with 165, followed by McLaren on 116 and Red Bull on 69.
Across the following five races, Ferrari accumulated 142 points, compared with 135 for Mercedes. Red Bull scored 108 during the same period, while McLaren collected 104. Those figures support Frédéric Vasseur’s belief that Ferrari have made progress, even though the team’s difficult start means there is still a substantial championship deficit to overcome.
The seven-point gain over Mercedes during that five-race run also helps explain why Frédéric Vasseur continues to target the 2026 Constructors’ Championship, despite Ferrari’s painful missed opportunity in Hungary.
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