Piero Ferrari has delivered a clear message about Ferrari’s difficult 2026 Formula 1 season, arguing that the Maranello team now needs “facts, not talk” as it works towards the objective its supporters have been waiting years to see achieved. Ferrari’s vice-chairman also discussed Kimi Antonelli’s championship charge, Max Verstappen and the possibility of one day seeing the young Italian race in red.
Ferrari has endured a complicated campaign despite claiming two victories, and attention is already turning towards both the final part of 2026 and the project that will follow. The United States Grand Prix will bring another important development step, while the wider technical and organisational picture also places considerable focus on team principal Fréd Vasseur ahead of 2027.
Ferrari’s Austin upgrades and the crucial 2027 direction
At Austin, Ferrari is set to introduce the final major development package for the SF-26, with changes involving the floor, bodywork and other areas of the car. More details about Ferrari’s latest SF-26 upgrade package for Austin show why the weekend represents another significant test of the team’s development direction.
Ferrari needs to understand which path to follow for 2027. The next car will inevitably take on different forms, although it is expected to inherit what has been a strong chassis from the current SF-26. The biggest weakness during the 2026 season has been the power unit, with the two ADUO updates still unable to eliminate the deficit to Mercedes and Red Bull.
The next Ferrari power unit will feature a completely new architecture, making 2027 potentially decisive for Fréd Vasseur and the wider Maranello project. Before then, the 2026 United States Grand Prix at Austin will provide Ferrari with another opportunity to assess whether its latest technical work can move the SF-26 closer to its rivals.
Piero Ferrari backs Kimi Antonelli’s championship rise
Piero Ferrari, speaking to Leo Turrini for Quotidiano Nazionale, also discussed Kimi Antonelli and the Italian driver’s rapidly approaching opportunity to become the 2026 Formula 1 world champion.
“Maybe it won’t happen as early as Sunday in Texas, but frankly it seems impossible to me that Antonelli could lose the title. And I’ll add immediately that, for everything he has shown us over the course of the season, his coronation outweighs any doubts!” Piero Ferrari said.
The championship situation heading into Austin can also be explored through the F1 Championship Points Calculator and title scenarios, while the complete run of remaining events is available on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Asked whether it felt strange to see an Italian potentially win the world championship without driving a Ferrari, Piero Ferrari admitted that his first preference would naturally have been for the title to go to one of Maranello’s own drivers.
“Look, I’ll be honest: naturally I would have been happier if the world championship had been won by either Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton. But once that prospect becomes impossible, I’m pleased that a son of our land, the land of motors, is climbing to the throne of motor racing.”
Max Verstappen remains a threat as Ferrari looks towards 2027
Red Bull’s recent developments have helped Max Verstappen return to winning form with two consecutive victories, raising the question of whether the Dutch driver could also represent a major threat in the future. Piero Ferrari believes the comparison with Kimi Antonelli will be fascinating, while also pointing to the Italian’s maturity.
“Max Verstappen is a phenomenon! But it is also right to underline that, in his very first years in Grands Prix, the Dutchman made more mistakes than Kimi. Then, of course, their comparison will be fascinating to watch, while from my point of view I hope that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will also be involved in the fight for the title in 2027.”
For Piero Ferrari, the priority remains seeing Ferrari return to a position where it can fight point by point for the championship before attention turns to supporting anyone else.
Could Kimi Antonelli one day drive for Ferrari?
The possibility of Kimi Antonelli eventually joining Ferrari was also raised. Piero Ferrari acknowledged that contracts and existing commitments make such a move far from straightforward, but he did not hide the appeal of seeing an Italian driver race for the team founded by his father.
“Ah, many circumstances come into play here. There are contracts to respect and commitments that have already been made. Then, I’m not a hypocrite: who wouldn’t love to see an Italian behind the wheel of the car that carries my father’s name? And I suppose that, given his roots, the idea wouldn’t displease the boy from Bologna either. Maybe one day it will happen, why not?”
Piero Ferrari: Ferrari needs ‘facts, not talk’
Piero Ferrari then turned directly to Ferrari’s current situation, delivering his clearest message about what he expects from the team after a season containing both positive and disappointing moments.
“I quietly believe that our team needs facts, not talk. This year we have seen some good things and some less good things. We all have a duty to work towards achieving the objective that our fans, whom we must always thank for their patience, have now been waiting many years for.”
He concluded by returning to Kimi Antonelli and the significance of seeing an Italian at the top of Formula 1: “In the meantime, congratulations again to Kimi. He is a son of our land of motors…”
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