Ivan Capelli warns Ferrari fans: patience is needed until 2026
Former Formula 1 driver Ivan Capelli has sent a message to Ferrari fans, urging them to remain patient as the Scuderia prepares for the major regulatory changes of 2026. According to Capelli, the year 2026 could mark the long-awaited turning point for the Maranello team, potentially putting an end to a title drought that has lasted for nearly two decades.
The phrase “next year will be the right one” has been echoing in the ears of Ferrari fans for almost twenty years. Since their last championship-winning campaign in 2008, the loyal supporters of the Prancing Horse have been waiting for the season in which Ferrari could finally return to the very top of Formula 1. Capelli believes that 2026, when the sport will introduce a completely new technical cycle, could be that moment, given the intense work that the Italian team is carrying out behind the scenes.
Ferrari fans cling to hope in 2025
In the meantime, millions of Ferrari supporters around the world continue to hope that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton can still fight for some victories in the current campaign. It is a challenging task, especially considering the dominance shown so far by McLaren with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the wheel. Capelli was clear about the situation: “It is going to be a battle between Norris and Piastri. The others have to hope they can take advantage of some opportunities and maybe win a race. Let us hope Ferrari manages to do it, but at the moment everything revolves around the McLaren duo.”
Looking ahead to the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Capelli also warned that weather could play a key role. He pointed out that very heavy rain was expected already from Thursday and suggested that the race weekend might mirror the chaotic conditions of 2023. Variable weather could inject a level of unpredictability that might give Ferrari and other teams a better chance of challenging McLaren.
Ferrari’s focus during the summer break
Ivan Capelli also explained the type of work Ferrari has been carrying out during the summer break. “Ferrari definitely used this pause to carefully analyse all the data, especially to understand what really happened to Charles Leclerc in Hungary. The team is still very much a work in progress and it needs to proceed step by step in order to find the right balance,” said the former driver.
He added that Ferrari remains under construction and warned that there is no quick fix: “The fans are once again being asked, as they have been for many years, to be patient. The real Ferrari, the one that can truly challenge for championships, will probably only arrive in 2026.”
The message from Ivan Capelli reflects a realistic outlook for Ferrari. While isolated victories in 2025 may still be possible, the Scuderia is clearly focusing much of its effort on the long-term project aligned with Formula 1’s new regulations. For Ferrari fans, the wait may continue, but the promise of a competitive resurgence in 2026 offers a glimmer of hope that the glory days could finally return to Maranello.
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