F1 Chief Domenicali Calls for 'Strong' Ferrari Amid 2026 Reset
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali urges Ferrari to find a plan and positive energy for the 2026 season after a difficult 2025. He also told defending champion Lando Norris to 'keep smiling' as new regulations could shake up the grid.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has called on Ferrari to adopt a more positive approach and focus on their plan for the 2026 season, following a disappointing 2025 campaign where they finished fourth. The former Ferrari team principal emphasized the need for the "right energy" at Maranello, believing the team deserves to be in a stronger competitive position as the sport heads into a major regulatory overhaul.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's performance is a critical narrative for Formula 1, and a competitive Scuderia is vital for the sport's health and global appeal. The 2026 regulations represent a massive reset, offering a rare opportunity for teams to close the gap to the front and potentially reshape the pecking order. Domenicali's comments, coming from both the F1 chief and an ex-Ferrari boss, add significant weight to the expectation on the team to capitalize on this chance.
The details:
- Ferrari's 2025 struggles: The team endured a winless season, with Lewis Hamilton failing to score a podium in his first year with the team. Charles Leclerc managed a shock pole position in Hungary and seven other podiums, famously declaring it's "now or never" for Ferrari to deliver a championship-winning car.
- Domenicali's message: He urged the team to move past negativity, stating, "There's no need to cry, there's no need to always be negative. They need to have a plan." He expressed confidence in team principal Frédéric Vasseur, Hamilton, and Leclerc to have the right strategy in place.
- The 2026 unknown: The F1 chief highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the new technical regulations, noting, "in 2026, everyone is talking, but no one knows where they are." This levels the playing field and creates significant anticipation for the new season.
- Advice for the champion: Domenicali also addressed defending champion Lando Norris, advising him to "keep smiling" and maintain his positive energy, recognizing his role as a model for fans and the importance of his personality for the sport.
What's next:
The 2026 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8, preceded by an expanded pre-season testing schedule in Barcelona and Bahrain to help teams adapt to the new rules. All eyes will be on Ferrari during these tests to see if they can translate Domenicali's call for "right energy" into a genuinely competitive package that can challenge the established order.