Former Ferrari employees Nelson Valkenburg and Kees van de Grint have voiced significant criticism regarding the team’s current operational standards, describing their performance as “unworthy of Ferrari.” Their assessment highlights a perceived lack of stability and clear direction within the Italian outfit, which they believe is hindering consistent success.
The 2026 Formula 1 season has seen Ferrari positioned second in the Constructors’ Championship. The team’s SF-26 car demonstrated strong starts and cornering capabilities early in the season, securing three podium finishes in the initial three races.
However, the car has reportedly lacked straight-line speed compared to rivals. Ferrari has introduced 40 performance upgrades throughout the season in an effort to improve competitiveness.
Internal tensions between drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have also been a recurring factor during the latter half of the 2026 campaign. Incidents at the Italian Grand Prix in September and a collision at the Mexico City Grand Prix in November underscored these challenges.
Following the Mexico City event, both drivers engaged in discussions with Team Principal Fred Vasseur ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix. Leclerc publicly stated that they had “closed that chapter” regarding their differences.
Hamilton also confirmed separate talks with Leclerc, without Vasseur’s direct involvement, where they addressed their issues and “squashed it.”
Vasseur has consistently emphasized that Ferrari’s interests must take precedence over individual driver ambitions. He has called for professionalism and mutual respect, indicating that existing team guidelines are sufficient if adhered to by the drivers.
The team underwent significant structural changes prior to the 2026 season. Fred Vasseur was granted more direct authority over car development decisions, and Loïc Serra assumed technical supervision for the SF-26 project.
These organizational adjustments were implemented with the aim of fostering a clearer, more efficient structure and reducing inter-departmental friction.
Despite these efforts, Vasseur’s leadership remains under scrutiny. Reports have circulated regarding a potential shift in his role for 2027, although Ferrari has publicly reaffirmed its “full confidence” in him.
Former F1 driver Derek Daly suggested that Ferrari requires a “ruthless leader” akin to Jean Todt during the team’s successful periods, implying Vasseur’s current approach may be insufficient.
Valkenburg’s suggestion of Gianpiero Lambiase and Peter Bonnington as potential reinforcements for Ferrari does not align with current facts. Peter Bonnington was promoted to Head of Race Engineering at Mercedes in August 2024 and did not follow Hamilton to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
Lewis Hamilton’s race engineer at Ferrari for the 2026 season is Carlo Santi, whom Hamilton has referred to as his “Italian Bono.” There have been no reports linking Gianpiero Lambiase to a move to Ferrari.
The 2026 Constructors’ Championship was secured by Mercedes at the São Paulo Grand Prix, with Kimi Antonelli clinching the World Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
