Stefano Domenicali backs Ferrari’s 2026 revival: “Pessimism won’t help, reaction is needed”. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali calls for optimism and reaction after Ferrari’s difficult season.

Everyone wants Ferrari to return to winning ways in Formula 1, including the CEO of the category, Stefano Domenicali. After a disastrous year for the Prancing Horse, where, aside from Lewis Hamilton’s Sprint victory in China, the only noteworthy results were a couple of podium finishes, 2026 represents the real year of truth for Fred Vasseur and his team.

The Imola-born executive, speaking to Sky Sport, did not hide his belief that the negative situation experienced by the Scuderia last season should be seen as a point of no return, especially with the drastic regulatory change coming in 2026. “I am someone who always looks at the glass half full. There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves or giving in to pessimism. There is a need to react, not to accept fourth place in the standings as something normal,” Stefano Domenicali said.

The 2025 season was undoubtedly one of the most difficult chapters in Ferrari’s recent history, with a car that was often unable to fight for victory and, as a consequence, a growing gap to the top of the World Championship. Even those inside the team did not shy away from acknowledging the shortcomings, as was the case with Charles Leclerc. While satisfied on a personal level, the Monegasque admitted that the car was never at the level required to compete consistently with the very best.

Despite this, Stefano Domenicali is confident that Ferrari will be able to bounce back, without becoming stuck on the difficulties faced this year. Thanks also to the new regulations, the Scuderia will have the opportunity to exploit fresh technical solutions and a more advanced strategy in order to return to winning races. The mission in Maranello is clear: Ferrari must once again be a true protagonist, not merely a spectator in the fight for the World Championship.

As the 2026 regulations approach, Stefano Domenicali emphasizes that Ferrari must move past its recent struggles and use the upcoming technical reset as a catalyst to reclaim its position at the front of the Formula 1 grid.