Ferrari faces bleak 2026 outlook, says former F1 driver

The 71-year-old, in his assessment of the recently concluded campaign, criticised comments from team president John Elkann regarding Ferrari’s drivers, pointing out the contrast between Elkann’s praise and the reality of the car’s performance.

“John Elkann has a lot to say that the Reds' pit stops are the fastest in the world. But then, what do you do if you give [Charles] Leclerc and [Lewis] Hamilton a car that is three tenths slower per lap?” Patrese said via Quotidiano Nazionale.

The former Benetton team driver continued by stating he is not optimistic about Ferrari’s prospects for the 2026 season.

“Honestly, I struggle to be optimistic about the Prancing Horse's 2026,” he added.

The Scuderia Ferrari outfit endured a challenging 2025 campaign, with drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton failing to record a single Grand Prix victory. The team’s only victory came in the Sprint race in China.

Ferrari’s struggles were reflected in the Constructors’ Championship, where they finished fourth, over 50 points behind Red Bull Racing.

In his assessment of the team, Patrese also criticised team principal Fred Vasseur, emphasising the need for stronger technical leadership.

The six-time Grand Prix winner highlighted that the French motorsport chief has had enough time but appears incapable of implementing the desired changes at Ferrari.

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