Former Ferrari chairman criticizes team's 2026 progress, demands championship focus

Former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has delivered a stark assessment of the team's promising but podium-focused start to the 2026 season, stating that after years of waiting, merely fighting for top-three finishes is insufficient. His comments come as Ralf Schumacher offers a separate analysis, suggesting Lewis Hamilton's improved form is linked to stronger contractual leverage within the Scuderia, effectively granting him number-one status.

Why it matters:

Montezemolo's critique underscores the immense pressure and championship-or-bust mentality at Ferrari, a team with a storied history but without a constructors' title since 2008. His perspective highlights that consistent podium finishes, while an improvement, are seen internally as merely a step toward the ultimate goal. Concurrently, Schumacher's insight into team dynamics suggests Ferrari's competitive resurgence may be intertwined with complex internal power structures and driver influence.

The Details:

• Montezemolo's Championship Mandate: The former chairman acknowledged Ferrari's more reliable and consistent SF-26 car but was blunt about its current potential, stating it "doesn’t look like a car capable of winning the championship." He emphasized that development over the coming month before Miami is crucial.
• A Higher Bar: He explicitly dismissed the excitement around podiums, arguing, "After so many years, it’s not enough to win a few races or get excited about a podium - you have to win the championship." This sets a clear benchmark that current results do not yet meet.
• Schumacher on Hamilton's Resurgence: Separately, Ralf Schumacher theorized that Hamilton's strong start to 2026 is partially due to increased contractual control. He suggested this leverage limits Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur's ability to intervene, with Hamilton able to "dictate how he operates."
• Implied Number-One Status: Schumacher pointed to what he sees as a de facto number-one driver dynamic for Hamilton at Ferrari, a situation that he believes restricts the team's ability to challenge the seven-time champion's authority on operational matters.

What's Next:

All eyes will be on Ferrari's development race ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, which Montezemolo labeled the start of "a new championship." The team's ability to unlock more performance from the SF-26 and close the gap to the dominant Mercedes will be the true test of their progress. Furthermore, the team dynamic surrounding Hamilton's influence and how it impacts overall team strategy and his teammate's role will continue to be a subplot scrutinized throughout the season.