Despite being one of the first teams to begin development for the 2026 Formula 1 season after a challenging 2025, Ferrari’s preparations are set to face a major test in the coming weeks. The most pressing question for fans and analysts alike is whether the Scuderia can finally provide Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with a car capable of competing at the very top.
Ferrari’s struggles have been clear for some time. The team has not secured a drivers’ championship since Kimi Raikkonen’s triumph in 2007, leaving a 19-year drought that continues to weigh heavily on the Maranello-based outfit. With pressure mounting, patience is running out, and the team knows that any further underperformance could have serious consequences for key personnel.
In preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 season, Ferrari have focused significant resources on developing a very compact gearbox, aiming to reduce packaging size and improve overall efficiency on the SF25. While the move is technically ambitious, it also carries risks, as the new design will need to perform flawlessly to keep Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc competitive against emerging rivals.
Even if retirement looms on the horizon for the seven-time world champion, there remains the possibility for Lewis Hamilton to stay with Ferrari in a non-driving role, potentially serving as a team ambassador, depending on the ongoing relationship between the driver and the Scuderia.
Why Ferrari’s SF25 suspension upgrade could backfire for Lewis Hamilton
The 2026 F1 regulations promise to be among the most radical since the introduction of the current turbo-hybrid era in 2014. While these changes offer an opportunity for Ferrari to reset and innovate, doubts about Lewis Hamilton’s future competitiveness are already circulating within the team. Some observers suggest that young talent like Oliver Bearman could be groomed to replace him in the coming years if Hamilton struggles to adapt to the new machinery.
The next twelve months could prove decisive in defining Hamilton’s legacy with Ferrari. Looking back at 2025, the team’s decision to introduce a substantial mid-season suspension upgrade may have been a misstep. By allocating resources to modify the SF25 mid-year rather than focusing earlier on the 2026 car, Ferrari potentially delayed progress on a platform that could finally return them to the front.
In hindsight, the 2025 suspension changes had little tangible effect on improving results. Many technical analysts argue that prioritizing the development of the 2026 car sooner might have been a more effective strategy, especially given the significant regulatory shifts coming into force.
Pre-season testing is scheduled to begin in just two weeks at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where Ferrari will have a five-day, closed-doors program to evaluate their new SF25. These sessions will be critical in determining whether Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can realistically challenge for wins and podiums, or if Ferrari risk repeating the disappointments of last season.
What Ferrari may have underestimated in 2025
Despite Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc pushing hard until the final race of the 2025 season, the team’s lack of performance left them unable to challenge for meaningful results. Ferrari appeared to underestimate the psychological pressure placed on their drivers by the ongoing performance deficit, and this added stress may have contributed to the overall underachievement.
The 2026 rule reset provides Ferrari with an opportunity to be bold and innovate, but it also comes with substantial risk. Every design choice, from suspension geometry to gearbox packaging, could determine whether the SF25 competes at the front or finds itself mired in the midfield. Missteps at this stage could have long-term consequences, potentially leaving Ferrari struggling for several seasons to come.
With Lewis Hamilton now in his second year with the Scuderia and Charles Leclerc continuing to develop as a championship contender, the pressure to get the SF25 right has never been higher. Ferrari must balance innovation with reliability if they hope to reclaim their place as Formula 1’s leading team and provide both drivers with a platform capable of fighting for victory in 2026.
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