Ferrari has endured a difficult start to the new year – is there hope to recover a title bid, or is it already too far behind?
Ferrari’s 2026 campaign has started poorly, trailing Mercedes by 70 points after four races. Despite holding second place in the constructors’ standings with 110 points, the gap to Mercedes and threat from McLaren cast a shadow over their performance. Charles Leclerc’s podium finishes in Australia and Japan were overshadowed by a turbulent Miami race, where he spun and received a penalty, finishing eighth. Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut saw struggles, with a podium in Melbourne but a challenging race in Miami after early contact and damage. The team’s competitiveness is showcased in flashes, but consistency is elusive, with a worrying 38.9% points deficit to the leaders. With the championship window decreasing and a major development race ahead, the question arises: Are Ferrari’s 2026 title hopes already fading?
