“I see quality at all levels” – Piero Ferrari breaks silence on the SF-26 and 2026 F1 title hopes. Piero Ferrari shares positive feedback on the Ferrari SF-26 project.

Piero Ferrari shares positive feelings about the 2026 car: full confidence in the SF-26 project

The winter tests held between Bahrain and Barcelona have not provided a completely clear and detailed picture of the competitive order ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Ferrari is certainly among the four top teams, but only once the cars hit the track in Melbourne will it be possible to fully understand the true level of the 2026 challenger. In the meantime, Piero Ferrari has underlined the positive feelings surrounding the SF-26 project and the work carried out in Maranello.

This year, Ferrari has adopted a different approach compared to 2025, including in its communication strategy. The choice has been to maintain a relatively low profile, while still not hiding the optimism about the work completed so far. Unlike last season, there have been no explicit references to fighting for the world title, a clear sign of a more measured and focused attitude within the team.

Despite this more cautious tone, Ferrari has stated that it is satisfied with the path taken up to this point. Mercedes remains a major threat in the battle at the front, but the Scuderia believes it worked in the right direction during the winter testing programme. The opening race in Melbourne will not be decisive in determining the hierarchy for the entire championship, but it will provide an important early indication of the overall competitive landscape among the leading teams.

Ferrari and the development work behind the 2026 project

Piero Ferrari, speaking in an interview with the Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport, discussed his impressions of the SF-26 and the progress made over the winter. The team’s mindset has not been completely revolutionized, yet the concerns and difficulties linked to the 2025 car now appear to be firmly in the past. The current objective is to maximize results from the very beginning and to continue developing the car consistently throughout the entire season.

“The goal remains to do the maximum with the resources, which in our case are not lacking. The team has done a great job, the SF-26 was prepared on schedule and I am confident about the quality because I can see it at every level,” he highlighted. The overall impression is that Ferrari has appeared particularly well-prepared at this early stage of the season. This does not automatically mean having the outright best car on the grid, but starting the year without significant issues is certainly an advantage for the Italian team.

Piero Ferrari also shared his impressions after attending the Bahrain tests in mid-February: “Very positive: everyone moved knowing exactly what to do and how to do it, I saw very well-coordinated work,” he added. His words reinforce the idea that the internal organization and collaboration within the team have been key strengths during the preparation phase, offering further encouragement ahead of the first Grand Prix of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Piero Ferrari’s measured optimism reflects a Scuderia that is prioritizing substance over hype. By focusing on organizational quality and seamless coordination during the winter, Maranello has built a foundation that looks significantly more robust than its predecessor. Whether the SF-26 can ultimately topple the likes of Mercedes and McLaren remains to be seen, but the internal belief that the team is operating “at all levels” suggests that Ferrari is finally ready to move past the inconsistencies of 2025 and fight for the top step of the podium.