Former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has handed his former team a reality check, saying its gap to Mercedes in Formula 1 right now is “quite staggering”.
The Scuderia has enjoyed a bright start to 2026, having taken podiums in Australia and China, giving the Silver Arrows a run for its money in the early stages of both races.
Its SF-26 has impressed many, with its lightning-fast starts and overall improvement in comparison to its beleaguered predecessor.
But the Mercedes’ W17 challenger is most certainly the class of the field, with three 1-2 finishes, including the Shanghai Sprint.
Nevertheless, the gaps are there to see, and di Montezemolo delivered this home truth when speaking to Corriere della Sera.
“I’m sorry to say, at least judging by what we’ve seen so far this season, that they have a good car but not one capable of winning the World Championship,” he said.
“What hurts me most is that in the last 10 years they’ve never made it to the final race still in contention for the drivers’ title.
“In my day, we lost 11 championships at the very last moment; I remember them as punches in the stomach, but at least we were there fighting for it.”
When asked if Ferrari can improve and close the gap over the course of the season, di Montezemolo said: “The gap is quite staggering, but the teams chasing the leaders can improve and there will be long pit stops.
“Perhaps it’s not quite as cut-and-dried as it seems.”
Ferrari has a long way to go, but Lewis Hamilton’s sunnier disposition since the season started is an indicator that the Maranello-based squad has the building blocks to win this year.
READ MORE – Lewis Hamilton sets bold Ferrari 2026 goals
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