Ferrari’s 2026 season is already being judged as if it’s over.
Three races in, Mercedes are dominant, the headlines are loud, and the usual doubts around Maranello have resurfaced.
But strip away the noise, and the reality looks very different.
Because the truth is far simpler, Ferrari are not the problem – the noise around them is, writes Rant Sport’s Noah Ngcobo.
The John Elkann problem, not the Fred Vasseur one
The debate around John Elkann did not come out of nowhere. It followed a winless 2025 season and mounting scrutiny around Ferrari’s leadership, drivers, and direction.
Elkann himself added to that pressure, publicly questioning Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton over their results.
That approach is now being challenged. Will Buxton has argued Ferrari would be better served stepping back in 2026 and allowing Fred Vasseur to operate freely.
Instead, the noise has only intensified.
Speculation around Vasseur’s future has resurfaced following news that Gianpiero Lambiase will join McLaren in 2028, sparking wider rumours, including links to Andrea Stella.
While those claims have been played down, the situation highlights a deeper issue. When Buxton said Elkann should “butt out,” it was not an attack, it was a warning.
Ferrari thrived when Jean Todt was given full control, with a clear divide between boardroom and trackside.
Right now, that clarity is missing. And you cannot build long-term success while constantly questioning the person in charge.
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The Mercedes gap is being ignored
On track, Ferrari’s situation is also being misunderstood.
Yes, they are behind. But behind what?
Mercedes have won every race so far in 2026, powered by what is clearly the strongest engine package on the grid. That is not a small advantage, it is the defining factor of the season so far.
Even Ralf Schumacher acknowledged that Ferrari’s car is “handling well” and is “very well built.”
That matters. It shows the chassis, balance and overall platform are strong.
The issue is straight line performance and sustained pace, both heavily influenced by the power unit. That is not something a team principal simply fixes overnight.
Ferrari are bringing a major upgrade to Miami, and there is also the potential impact of Formula 1’s development allowance system, designed specifically to help teams close performance gaps.
Yet none of that seems to feature in the criticism.
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Judging Ferrari too early
What we are seeing is not a team collapsing, it is a team being judged without patience or perspective.
Ferrari have a stable driver line-up, a competent car, and a team principal with a proven track record.
What they don’t have is time, at least not in the eyes of the outside world.
And that is the real issue.
Because if Ferrari are allowed to develop, if Vasseur is given the same trust that once defined their golden era, this narrative flips quickly.
Right now, Ferrari are not being beaten by their own shortcomings.
They are being beaten by expectations that ignore reality.
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