During the regional finals of F1 in Schools at the Dallara Academy, we had the chance to exchange a few words with Giampaolo Dallara. Among the various topics discussed, Ferrari’s performance in the first races of the year came up. The question posed to the head of one of the biggest motorsport brands in the world risks dampening the spirits of many Ferrari fans.
Will Ferrari return to the fight with McLaren before 2026?
Ferrari’s lackluster performances in Australia, China, and Japan made the question almost inevitable: “What will Ferrari do this year?”
The answer from the ‘wizard’ of Varano can be interpreted in different ways, but the idea that the focus is already on 2026 is widely shared: “I see Ferrari as competitive for the podium. I hoped they would be ahead of McLaren, but they’re not. I think this is a transitional year and that there’s a lot of focus on next year’s car. So maybe—hopefully not—but it’s also possible that the situation stays the same until the final year. Then, with the new car, we play a new game with new cards, and let’s hope Ferrari is truly the winner, the star of the championship, and really the best on the grid.” – he pointed out.
When asked by the Italian website f1ingenerale: “So this year, will we see Ferrari eventually overtake McLaren or will they remain behind while fully focused on 2026?” the 88-year-old from Parma replied: “I think—I’m afraid—that this year it will be a bit difficult because McLaren seems to have a rather significant advantage.” – he concluded.
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