Schumacher warns of drastic Ferrari changes if F1 title challenge won't happen

21:01, 17 Jan

byKada Sarkozi

Ralf Schumacher warns of changes at Ferrari, including the team principal position, if the team fails to perform in 2026.

"Yes, everything is at stake."

- Ralf Schumacher

Ferrari had a difficult 2025 season, where the Scuderia failed to secure a single Grand Prix victory.

Charles Leclerc finished on the podium seven times, while Lewis Hamilton completed a lackluster debut campaign with the Italian team, with one of the only highlights being his Sprint victory in China.

Looking ahead, former F1 driver Schumacher also warns of changes to take place should Ferrari fail to meet expectations.

The German said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast: "Yes, everything is at stake with the performance that the team brings.

"That's why we have to wait for the tests now. And I would say the first two races. Everything was focused on it, we were told last year that nothing had been done since China, only the new car, only the new car."

According to the German, if Ferrari is not in the battle for the title, there will be consequences.

Ralf Schumacher - Photo: Race Pictures

"If that doesn't work again, then of course there will be decisions. I'm pretty sure about that. But everyone knows that. That's nothing new with Ferrari. There is a wonderful statistic, how many team principals have already been there and how often drivers have been changed."

Schumacher therefore explains that team boss Frederic Vasseur is perfectly aware of the potential outcomes. "I think he is aware of that. He knows he has the chance to set it up exactly like that. He has also set up the people in the background. He always said, 2026 is our year."

He concluded: "And accordingly, of course, if that doesn't work, then he will understand this and have to bear the consequences. That's quite logical."

Ahead of the new season, Ferrari also shared a video of firing up the team's engine, but only after customer team Cadillac had already revealed the sound.

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