Ferrari’s 2026 Project Labeled a “Disaster” as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Face Early Warning

The 2026 season is right around the corner as Ferrari gears up for the highly anticipated launch of their challenger for the season. Although Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc suffered a disastrous campaign in 2025, they still had high hopes of performing well under the new regulations. However, things might not be off to a great start, as ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher labels the Italian project a ‘disaster’ even before the commencement of the season.

Lewis Hamilton had tested the potential 2026 F1 challengers on the simulator and had some skeptical remarks on the car. The Briton had claimed previously that he wasn’t looking forward to the new regulations after his F1 prime was ruined under the ground-effect era. Even Charles Leclerc did not have the best reaction after driving the latest generation of cars on the simulator.

Now, Ralf Schumacher declares why Ferrari’s 2026 F1 project might be a disaster before the season even begins. Notably, Maranello will use an A-spec car for private testing in Barcelona before bringing a B-spec car during the pre-season tests. Schumacher believes that this might be a looming disaster pending to strike Ferrari in the coming season.

Ralf Schumacher highlighted that Ferrari was developing two completely different cars, which rarely turned out well for the team. The German reckoned that this was being done because Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had completely different setup preferences in the car. Schumacher asserted that if this was the case, then the team was bound to suffer from a disaster on the grid yet again.

As for Ferrari, disaster already seems to be looming again, at least reading between the lines, That’s what stands out the most. They appear to be developing two different cars. I can almost imagine that it’s because Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have completely different opinions on the car. If that’s the case, it’s a disaster from the outset.

Ralf Schumacher said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.

Ralf Schumacher claims Ferrari’s pre-season development ‘far from ideal’

Ferrari remains one of the more underwhelming teams on the grid in terms of consistency in recent years. The team hasn’t tasted a championship victory since the 2008 season.

Moreover, the cost cap meant that the Scuderia would find it difficult to develop two cars at the same time over the year. There are bound to be moments when they would have to prioritize one driver over the other in terms of car upgrades.

Ralf Schumacher highlighted that developing two cars was always far from ideal for the teams on the grid. Schumacher recalled that even Fred Vasseur had hinted at the difficulties a team might face while developing two cars for both drivers. As such, the Italian squad’s current condition seemed to be far from ideal, as their chances to succeed in the 2026 season still remained concerning.

I’ve always said you can’t develop two cars and Fred Vasseur has hinted at it himself as well, so it all seems far from ideal.

Ralf Schumacher noted.

The 2026 season still hasn’t begun, and the testing sessions are yet to be concluded. Certainly, the picture will be much clearer following the initial testing, as new regulations are bound to be put forth in moments of uncertainty. However, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are both highly motivated to improve their current state and contend for both championships.

Continue Reading: Mercedes Retains Exclusive F1 Safety & Medical Car Role as Aston Martin Pulls Out

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