Scuderia Ferrari’s absence from the top of the Formula 1 world championship has now stretched to almost two full decades, a reality that continues to weigh heavily on one of the sport’s most passionate fanbases.
The Scuderia’s last major success dates back to 2008, when Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen powered Ferrari to the constructors’ championship, finishing ahead of rivals McLaren and BMW Sauber. At the time, few could have imagined that this achievement would mark the beginning of such a prolonged title drought.
Since then, the tifosi have endured season after season of near-misses, false dawns and unfulfilled promise. A succession of elite drivers has passed through Maranello, each arriving with championship credentials and the hope of restoring Ferrari to its former dominance, only to leave without delivering the ultimate prize.
Lewis Hamilton is the latest world champion to discover just how difficult that task can be. During his first season with the Scuderia, Lewis Hamilton reportedly developed a deeper appreciation for the achievements of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, having experienced first-hand the structural and technical challenges involved in winning titles with Ferrari.
All three multiple world champions joined Ferrari with expectations of fighting at the very front, yet none managed to secure a drivers’ championship in red. Lewis Hamilton, despite his record-breaking career, is still waiting to score his first podium finish for Ferrari, underlining how far the team remains from consistent contention.
Alongside him, Charles Leclerc continues to be viewed as a future champion in waiting. The Monegasque driver has repeatedly demonstrated exceptional speed and racecraft, but he has yet to be provided with a car capable of sustaining a genuine title challenge over the course of an entire season.
Against this backdrop, former Ferrari team principal and current Audi Formula 1 project leader Mattia Binotto has offered his perspective on the situation unfolding at Maranello.
Although no longer involved in Ferrari’s day-to-day operations, Mattia Binotto has made it clear that his emotional connection to the team remains intact. He has openly acknowledged his continued support for Ferrari while explaining why the current circumstances leave him feeling particularly sympathetic towards the fans.
Mattia Binotto sympathises with Ferrari fans as championship wait continues
Speaking to RMC Motori ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Mattia Binotto reflected on Ferrari’s long-standing struggles and the difficulty of assessing the team from the outside.
Mattia Binotto explained that looking back on Ferrari’s recent history is personally challenging for him, noting that he is no longer embedded within the organisation and therefore lacks insight into its internal processes and decision-making structures. As a result, he stressed that he does not feel in a position to pass judgement on the current leadership or technical direction.
Despite now working on Audi’s Formula 1 project, Mattia Binotto underlined that he remains a Ferrari supporter at heart, having grown up as a fan of the team. He emphasised that this attachment has never disappeared, even as his professional focus has shifted elsewhere.
According to the Italian manager, his greatest regret concerns the fans and the many individuals within Ferrari whom he worked alongside for years. He highlighted his respect for their expertise and dedication, expressing hope that the team can eventually take a decisive step forward and return to a competitive level worthy of its history, both for its workforce and for Ferrari supporters across the globe.
Ferrari and the opportunity presented by a new Formula 1 era
Looking ahead, Ferrari’s prospects are closely tied to the sweeping regulation changes arriving in 2026, which represent one of the most significant technical resets in Formula 1 history. For a team that has often struggled to convert incremental progress into sustained success, this reset could offer a rare opportunity to close the gap to the front.
With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in its driver line-up, Ferrari possesses two competitors more than capable of fighting for championships under the right circumstances. Lewis Hamilton’s recent seasons may not have matched the peak of his career, but his seven world titles and vast technical experience remain invaluable assets as teams navigate an entirely new ruleset.
Ferrari’s strategic decision to halt development of their 2025 car as early as April has also drawn attention within the paddock. By redirecting resources toward the 2026 project well ahead of many rivals, the team has given itself additional time to understand the new aerodynamic concepts and power unit regulations.
While there have been concerns about Ferrari’s 2026 engine package, some observers believe these fears may be exaggerated. If the power unit proves competitive, Ferrari could find itself much closer to the Mercedes-powered teams that are widely expected to set the early benchmark under the new rules.
Success will hinge on aerodynamic efficiency and overall car balance. Although Ferrari’s rear suspension update failed to deliver the desired gains last season, the depth of technical talent within the organisation suggests that a breakthrough remains possible. If Ferrari can finally align its engineering potential with regulatory opportunity, the long wait endured by its fans may at last begin to draw to a close.
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