The historic Ferrari workforce has begun its journey into the brand new regulatory period in what seems to be the worst doable approach. The vehicles haven’t even been formally unveiled but, and there may be already a widespread feeling that the 2026 season of the Prancing Horse may show deeply disappointing. The issue, nevertheless, will not be what’s being mentioned.
Not like earlier years, Ferrari’s senior administration and technical employees in Maranello have been remarkably efficient at stopping any details about the potential efficiency of the SF-26 from leaking out. No daring claims, no flights of fancy and no false expectations.
For a very long time, Ferrari had been urged to maintain its ft firmly on the bottom. The difficulty is that this time the workforce could have gone too far in that course. Quite than being solidly planted, these ft now appear virtually buried beneath the floor. You would possibly suppose that is an exaggeration, however sadly the problem goes deeper. Past the entire lack of concrete indicators pointing in direction of a optimistic marketing campaign for the Scuderia, what really fuels pessimism is the continuing sequence of exits and steady position modifications inside the Gestione Sportiva.
Warning indicators already in 2025
The departures that brought on the largest stir undoubtedly got here final yr. Two extremely important figures left Maranello: Wolf Zimmermann and Lars Schmidt, each energy unit specialists who moved to Audi. Their exits have been quickly adopted by that of Simone Resta, an aerodynamic engineer who, through the years, had faithfully supported Ferrari’s plans whereas being moved between groups. He left the Scuderia for Sauber, returned to Maranello, then moved to Haas and got here again as soon as once more.
The engineer, born in Imola on 14 September 1970, determined final yr to affix Mercedes, the place in 2026 he’ll tackle the position of strategic improvement director. An alarming and seemingly uncontrollable mind drain that, only one yr earlier than the beginning of the brand new regulatory period, had already raised critical considerations.
Now, with the brand new season quick approaching, Ferrari has been hit by two additional inner modifications. These should not as dramatic as the sooner departures, since each people will stay inside the broader Ferrari organisation. However, they are going to be assigned to roles very totally different from these they beforehand held.
Silvia Hoffer Frangipane, who has been head of communications for the Scuderia for seven years, selected 8 January to maneuver to Ferrari Company Communication, leaving the racing division behind.
On 16 January, one other position change was introduced, this time involving Riccardo Adami. Previously a race engineer to Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz Jr, Adami labored alongside Lewis Hamilton throughout his first season at Ferrari in 2025. He has now been reassigned to a key position inside the Ferrari Driver Academy.
These final two strikes would probably have brought on little response had they been introduced on the finish of the season. The truth that they’ve come simply days earlier than the launch of the SF-26 and the primary exams of 2026, nevertheless, continues to gas the doubts of those that worry that Ferrari’s season, and its preparation for the brand new regulatory period, may in the end flip right into a missed alternative.
The main focus narrows on Hamilton’s subsequent race engineer
After all, we hope this won’t be the case. As we look ahead to the championship to start, many are asking who would be the individual chosen to exchange Riccardo Adami on the pit wall and work aspect by aspect with Lewis Hamilton. What might be mentioned for now could be that the checklist of candidates has narrowed significantly in latest days.
Luca Diella seems to be the most definitely choice. A efficiency engineer who, since 2025, has been liable for optimising the automotive’s general efficiency on monitor, Diella holds a job much like the one he carried out at Mercedes between 2021 and 2025. This shared previous makes him and Hamilton outdated acquaintances, an element that would show decisive as Ferrari seems to stabilise its construction forward of the demanding 2026 season.
Because the SF-26 prepares to interrupt cowl, the ambiance in Maranello feels extra like a reorganization in progress than a settled championship assault. Whether or not these shifts are a calculated “clearing of the home” to make room for Hamilton’s most popular methods of working, or a real lack of stability, will probably be revealed the second the lights exit. For the Tifosi, the hope stays that this inner turbulence is merely the storm earlier than a triumphant calm, relatively than an indication of one other lengthy yr within the shadows of their rivals.
Jan 20, 2026
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