FERRARI’S 2026 RESET: WHY LEWIS AND LECLERC DEMAND A CAR THAT FINALLY LISTENS
For Lewis, 2025 was supposed to be the start of something special. Instead, it became one of the most difficult years of his legendary F1 career. For Leclerc, it was another painful reminder that raw talent alone is not enough without a car capable of fighting for wins and championships. Now, with a complete regulation reset for 2026, Ferrari have no excuses left.
This is the season Ferrari must finally listen.
A 2025 Season Ferrari Want To Forget
Ferrari ended the 2025 Formula 1 season without a single race victory, finishing a distant fourth in the Constructors’ Championship. In pure Ferrari terms, that is failure. Even more damning was the fact that Leclerc scored all seven of the team’s podium finishes, underlining how uneven and unpredictable the SF-25 was across different conditions.
Lewis struggled to extract confidence from the car throughout the year. The Ferrari F1 package lacked consistency, particularly when grip levels changed. Both drivers repeatedly highlighted how difficult the car was to read at the limit, making it impossible to push with confidence over a race distance or in qualifying.
For a team built on passion, heritage, and expectation, 2025 was a season that exposed deep structural problems.
The Suspension Decision That Backfired
One of Ferrari’s biggest missteps in 2025 was the decision to switch to a pull-rod suspension layout. On paper, it offered aerodynamic advantages. On track, it created more problems than it solved.
The SF-25 struggled with tyre management, mechanical grip, and predictability. Lewis and Leclerc repeatedly asked for aerodynamic upgrades to stabilise the car, but those requests were largely ignored. Instead, Ferrari chose to double down on adapting the suspension concept, hoping it could be refined into something workable.
It never was.
By mid-season, it was clear the development direction had hit a dead end. Ferrari had effectively written off the year early, shifting focus to the 2026 F1 regulations while their drivers were left fighting an uncooperative car every weekend.
Finally Listening To Lewis And Leclerc
Heading into 2026, there is a noticeable shift in Ferrari’s tone. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the SF-26 has one clear priority: fix the fundamental issues that destroyed the SF-25.
The key objectives are simple but crucial:
- Improve tyre performance
- Increase mechanical grip
- Deliver a stable and predictable platform in all conditions
Under the guidance of Loic Serra, Ferrari’s technical department is planning a complete suspension redesign. Crucially, the team is set to abandon the pull-rod layout and return to a push-rod suspension for 2026.
This is not just a technical change. It is an admission.
Why The Push-Rod Return Matters
For Lewis, confidence in the car is everything. He thrives when the car reacts clearly to inputs, especially on corner entry and during high-speed direction changes. The SF-25 never gave him that trust.
The planned push-rod suspension aims to give both Lewis and Leclerc a more consistent mechanical platform. Ferrari want a car that does not suddenly lose grip, does not snap unpredictably, and does not change personality when track temperatures rise or fall.
This is exactly what the drivers have been asking for all season.
A Ferrari that “reacts” clearly and “behaves” consistently is the foundation of any championship challenge. Without that, no amount of aerodynamic efficiency can save a car.
Lewis And The Fresh Start He Needs
There is no avoiding the fact that doubts have emerged around Lewis after his difficult first season at Ferrari. For a seven-time world champion, expectations are always brutal, and 2025 did him no favours.
But context matters.
Lewis joined Ferrari at a time when the team was already heading in the wrong direction. The SF-25 was flawed at its core, and no driver, regardless of talent, could mask those weaknesses consistently.
The 2026 regulation reset offers Lewis exactly what he needs: a clean slate. New cars, new engines, new aerodynamic concepts. History shows Lewis thrives in regulation changes when teams get the fundamentals right.
If Ferrari deliver a stable SF-26, Lewis will deliver performances that remind everyone why he is still one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.
Leclerc’s Patience Is Wearing Thin
While much attention is on Lewis, Leclerc’s situation is just as critical. He has now spent several seasons at Ferrari without a genuine title-winning car. Despite flashes of brilliance and consistent podiums, the ultimate goal remains out of reach.
Reports suggest Aston Martin are closely monitoring Leclerc’s situation, viewing him as a future team leader. That alone should alarm Ferrari. Losing Leclerc would represent another catastrophic failure of long-term planning.
The SF-26 must convince Leclerc that Ferrari can finally build around his strengths and give him a platform capable of fighting at the front.
Why 2026 Is Make Or Break For Ferrari
The 2026 Formula 1 season is not just another year. It is a crossroads. If Ferrari fail again:
- Lewis may reconsider his future
- Leclerc could explore alternatives
- Fred Vasseur’s position becomes untenable
Vasseur already faces enormous pressure after 2025. Another uncompetitive season would almost certainly put his job at risk. Ferrari’s leadership expects progress, not excuses, especially under a brand-new set of regulations. The Prancing Horse cannot afford another reset without results.
A Final Chance To Get It Right
Everything points to Ferrari finally accepting what Lewis and Leclerc have been saying all along. A fast car is useless if drivers cannot trust it. Mechanical grip, tyre consistency, and predictable handling are not optional in modern F1 — they are essential.
The SF-26 represents Ferrari’s chance to reset their philosophy and rebuild trust with their drivers. For Lewis, it is a chance to reignite his Ferrari journey. For Leclerc, it may be the final proof that staying in red is worth it.
One thing is certain: 2026 will define Ferrari’s future in Formula 1.
And this time, they must listen — or risk losing everything.
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