Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona has brought renewed optimism to Ferrari. In an exclusive interview with NewsF1.it, engineer Luigi Mazzola analyzed the current state of the Scuderia, the development of the SF-26, the progress of the seven-time world champion, and Charles Leclerc’s situation. The verdict from the former Ferrari engineer is clear: the Maranello-built car has taken an important step forward and is now capable of consistently fighting for victories.
Ferrari: Barcelona was no coincidence
Lewis Hamilton’s victory at the Spanish Grand Prix represents one of Ferrari’s most significant results in recent years. While the Virtual Safety Car certainly helped the British driver’s strategy, reducing the SF-26’s success to a fortunate circumstance would be a major oversimplification.
According to Luigi Mazzola, the most important takeaway from the Barcelona weekend was the level of competitiveness Ferrari displayed throughout the event.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has long been regarded as one of the most complete tracks on the Formula 1 calendar and is often considered a benchmark for evaluating the true potential of a car. For that reason, the performance shown by the SF-26 carries even greater significance.The former Ferrari engineer believes the upgrades introduced in recent weeks have finally delivered the expected results, particularly in improving rear-end stability and tyre management under demanding conditions.
Hamilton rediscovers confidence and leadership
One of the most interesting points highlighted by Mazzola concerns Lewis Hamilton’s current form.
After a challenging first part of the season, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion appears to have rediscovered enthusiasm, confidence, and the sense of calm that allows him to perform at his very best.
According to the former Ferrari engineer, the Lewis Hamilton seen today is much closer to the dominant driver who defined Formula 1 during his most successful years. He is a driver enjoying himself, fully invested in the project, and once again capable of leading the team forward through the strength of his experience.
The victory in Barcelona could also prove to be a crucial moment in terms of leadership within the team, further strengthening his position inside Ferrari.
The decisive role of the race engineer
During the interview, Mazzola devoted considerable attention to the evolution of the race engineer’s role in modern Formula 1.
While in the 1990s the race engineer was often the primary technical reference point for the car, that role has changed significantly due to the increasing specialization of operational departments within Formula 1 teams.
However, the human relationship with the driver remains just as important as ever. According to Luigi Mazzola, the race engineer continues to play a key role in building trust, providing reassurance, and helping drivers navigate difficult moments. It is an aspect that is often underestimated but can be decisive in achieving top-level performances.
The former Ferrari engineer emphasized that the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and his new working group is clearly producing positive effects, contributing to the improvement in performance seen over recent races.
Charles Leclerc: no crisis, but confidence is needed
While Lewis Hamilton is arguably experiencing the best period of his Ferrari journey so far, Charles Leclerc is currently facing a more difficult phase.
The events of Monaco and Barcelona have fueled debate and raised questions, but for Mazzola there is no genuine technical or performance-related issue. The Monegasque driver still possesses the speed and talent of a champion. What he needs, according to the former Maranello engineer, is to fully regain his confidence and rediscover the conviction required to approach race weekends with the calmness that has always characterized his strongest performances.
The support of the team, the race engineer, and the entire Ferrari organization could prove decisive in helping him quickly return to the front of the field.
Can Ferrari really fight Mercedes and McLaren?
The question everyone is asking concerns Ferrari’s true potential for the remainder of the season.
Mazzola adopts a cautious but optimistic approach. According to his analysis, Ferrari demonstrated in Barcelona that it possesses the qualities required to consistently compete at the front. Much will depend on the upgrades introduced over the coming months and on how Mercedes and McLaren respond in the development race.
The former Scuderia engineer is not suggesting that the championship battle has already been reopened, nor does he view Ferrari as the outright favorite. However, he believes the SF-26 has now reached a level where it can realistically fight for victories in the upcoming races.
Austria, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza will provide crucial tests in determining whether the progress seen in Spain marks the beginning of a new phase of the season.
Mazzola: “Ferrari has all the cards to compete”
Among the most significant comments from the interview is Luigi Mazzola’s assessment of the SF-26’s competitiveness.
According to the former Ferrari engineer, the Ferrari seen in Barcelona delivered performances that inspire greater confidence heading into the next rounds of the championship. The car does not yet appear dominant, but it has demonstrated that it can consistently challenge Mercedes and McLaren. This could make the second half of the season particularly intriguing while opening up new opportunities for both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Final analysis
Luigi Mazzola’s comments provide a technical and highly authoritative perspective on Ferrari’s current situation. Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona is not viewed as an isolated result, but rather as the outcome of the SF-26’s genuine progress and the work carried out by the team over recent months.
Ferrari may not yet be the dominant force in Formula 1, but according to Mazzola, the team finally possesses the tools required to consistently compete for race victories.
The upcoming races will reveal whether the growth displayed in Barcelona was merely a one-off success or the beginning of a far more ambitious second half of the season for the Scuderia from Maranello.
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