F1 CEO sends Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc warning Amid…read more
Domenicali Issues Ferrari Reality Check to Hamilton and Leclerc Ahead of 2026
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has delivered a clear message to Ferrari — and its star drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc — as the sport edges closer to the 2026 regulation reset: finishing fourth cannot become acceptable.
Domenicali, a long-time Ferrari insider who previously served as the team’s principal between 2008 and 2014, has watched with frustration as the Scuderia continue to struggle in their pursuit of championship glory. Ferrari have not won a drivers’ title since 2007, and recent seasons have done little to ease the pressure on Maranello.
The arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was meant to signal a turning point for Ferrari, but the 2025 campaign fell well short of expectations. Despite the heightened attention surrounding Hamilton’s move, Ferrari ended the season fourth in the constructors’ championship and failed to claim a single grand prix victory — an outcome that only intensified scrutiny on the team’s direction.
While Domenicali remains optimistic about Ferrari’s long-term prospects, he has made it clear that complacency is not an option. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Italian stressed that Ferrari must resist the temptation to accept mediocrity.
“I’m a positive person,” Domenicali said. “There’s no reason to panic or fall into negativity. What matters is having a clear plan. I’m confident that Fred Vasseur, Lewis and Charles do have a plan, and that’s the key.”
However, Domenicali was firm in his warning that Ferrari cannot allow fourth place to become their comfort zone. “It’s important to react, not to slowly fade away and treat being fourth in the championship as something normal,” he explained. “Ferrari should be fighting at the front. They deserve to be in a stronger position.”
Looking ahead to 2026, when sweeping technical regulations will reshape the grid, Domenicali cautioned against assuming any team has a clear advantage. “Everyone is talking about 2026, but the truth is nobody really knows where they stand,” he said. “Last year, many people thought the future was already written — and then reality proved otherwise.”
With constant development expected race by race, Domenicali believes Ferrari must maintain the right mindset and energy to capitalise on the uncertainty. His message is unmistakable: Ferrari’s rebuild must deliver results, and settling for fourth is simply not good enough.
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