BARCELONA BLUES: WHY FERRARI MUST SHIFT FOCUS TO 2026

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Ferrari’s SF-25 performance declines during Barcelona race – Lewis Hamilton disappointed
The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster for Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton. The recent Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona wasn’t just a missed opportunity — it was a wake-up call. Lewis started from a promising P5, but as the laps ticked by, his position slipped, ending up a frustrating P7 (which later became P6 due to a post-race penalty for Max Verstappen, which I might add was well deserved). This wasn’t just about a slow car — it was about a team that looks increasingly lost at sea. And for us fans watching, it’s heartbreaking.

A Race to Forget

Let’s be honest — Barcelona was a disaster. Lewis, who had looked solid in qualifying, was hopeful. Many of us thought this might finally be the weekend where things started to click. Instead, the moment came early when he was told to let Charles Leclerc through. While team strategy can sometimes make sense, this time it just didn’t. Lewis, ever the team player, complied. But the pace never came. He struggled with balance, had no front-end grip, and was forced to change wing settings on the fly just to survive the stint. His radio messages were full of disappointment, and by the time the checkered flag waved, that early hope had evaporated.

Leclerc’s Struggles Tell the Same Story

And it’s not just Lewis. Charles Leclerc, the team’s other star, is clearly suffering too. After the race, he openly admitted that the car is becoming a nightmare to drive. He said he’s been forced to experiment with extreme setup directions just to make the SF-25 competitive. That’s not how you fight for championships. If both drivers are struggling to feel confident in the car, the issue isn’t with them — it’s with the machine. And no matter how talented they are, even the best drivers can’t fight physics.

Why 2026 Needs to Be the Focus

Now here’s where things get serious. The 2026 regulation overhaul isn’t just another technical change — it’s a revolution. We’re talking about lighter, more agile cars, a full aero rework to allow closer racing, active aerodynamic systems replacing the old DRS, and more power from electrical components. This isn’t a tweak — it’s a total reset. For a team like Ferrari that’s been spinning its wheels for years, this is the golden opportunity to wipe the slate clean and build something truly great.

If the SF-25 is already flawed — and it clearly is — why continue to pour resources into it for marginal gains? Why not start now, get ahead of the curve, and be the team to beat in 2026? Mercedes dominated the hybrid era because they planned early. Red Bull crushed 2022 and beyond because they adapted faster. If Ferrari is serious about returning to the top, this is their chance.

Lewis Knows What Needs to Happen

And this is where Lewis comes in. One of the most valuable things about having a driver like Lewis isn’t just his speed — it’s his experience. He’s been through regulation changes before. He knows what it takes to build a dominant car. Reports suggest that behind the scenes, he’s already challenging Fred Vasseur and Ferrari’s leadership, urging them to change course, to think bigger. That’s the kind of leadership Ferrari desperately needs.

It’s also why I, as a fan, have such faith in Lewis. He’s not afraid to speak up. He’s not afraid to ruffle feathers if it means the team gets better. That attitude, that hunger, is why he’s a seven-time world champion. And right now, Ferrari would be foolish not to listen to him.

The Time to Change Is Now

Ferrari is a legendary team. But legends are made by bold decisions, not by playing it safe. Right now, the 2025 season looks like a lost cause. Yes, they might scrape a few podiums. Yes, they might occasionally look competitive. But that’s not why Lewis joined Ferrari. That’s not why we, as fans, support Lewis through thick and thin. We want wins. We want championships. And more than anything, we want to see Lewis back where he belongs — at the very top.

Shifting focus to 2026 isn’t admitting defeat. It’s planning for glory. It’s what smart teams do. With the right vision, and with Lewis helping to shape it, Ferrari has every chance to come out swinging when the new era begins. But they have to act now.

Conclusion: Start Building the Future Today

This isn't just about one bad race. It’s about a pattern — of missed chances, poor direction, and wasted potential. But there’s still time to change course. The 2026 regulations offer a lifeline, a way for Ferrari to reinvent itself. If they start early, with Lewis’s guidance and insight, they can hit the ground running and give the fans something real to believe in again.

We’re not here to settle for sixth. We’re here to win. And that journey starts with one brave decision: stop patching the SF-25, and start building the beast that will define Ferrari’s future.

Oh while you're at it - bring back Bono!

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