F1 CEO Domenicali: "We Want a Strong Ferrari" for 2026
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expresses confidence in Fred Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc to devise a plan that will return Ferrari to a competitive position ahead of the crucial 2026 regulation changes.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has thrown his support behind Ferrari's leadership and driver lineup, urging the team to formulate a plan for a comeback. Following a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 2024 constructors' championship, Domenicali emphasized the importance of a strong Ferrari for the health of the sport, particularly with the massive 2026 regulation overhaul on the horizon.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's performance is intrinsically linked to the overall spectacle and commercial success of Formula 1. A resurgent Scuderia, especially one with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton on board, creates a powerful narrative that drives global fan engagement and competition. The 2026 season represents a fundamental reset with new power unit and aerodynamic regulations, offering a rare opportunity for teams to close the gap. Domenicali's comments are a clear signal that F1's commercial rights holders are counting on Ferrari to be a major player in this new era.
The details:
- Domenicali, a former Ferrari team principal himself, dismissed negativity after the team's 2024 season, where Hamilton finished sixth and Leclerc fifth in the standings.
- Key Quote: "They need to have a plan. And I'm sure that Fred [Vasseur] and Lewis and Charles have a plan, and that's what's important," Domenicali told Sky Sports.
- He stressed that a fourth-place finish should not be accepted as the new normal for the Maranello outfit, stating, "it's important to react, not to fade away."
- The 2026 Factor: While the 2025 season will be an evolution, the 2026 regulations are the primary target. The new rules, which introduce more sustainable power units and revised aerodynamics, are seen as the best chance for teams like Ferrari to leapfrog the current top teams.
What's next:
The pressure is now on Vasseur and his team to deliver a competitive car for 2025 while simultaneously channeling major resources into the all-new 2026 project. The upcoming winter break will be crucial for Ferrari to "react" and build the "right energy" within the team, as Domenicali put it. If Ferrari can solve its current technical issues and capitalize on the 2026 reset, the combination of Vasseur's leadership, Leclerc's talent, and Hamilton's experience could finally deliver the championship challenge the Tifosi and F1 itself have been waiting for.