F1 chief Stefano Domenicali said Ferrari needed a “plan” and “the right energy” for the new 2026 F1 season.
Last year, Ferrari suffered its worst season since 2025 with no wins and fourth place in the constructors’ championship as Lewis Hamilton failed to finish on the podium in his first season in red.
Charles Leclerc claimed a shock pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix and claimed seven other podiums, admitting it was “now or never” for Ferrari to deliver a car capable of winning the championship.
Domenicali, who was Ferrari’s team principal from 2008 to 2014, told Sky Sports News: “I’m a positive person. There’s no need to cry, there’s no need to be negative all the time. They need to have a plan.”
“I’m sure Fred (Vasseur), Lewis and Charles have a plan and that’s what’s important. I think it’s important to react and not disappear and that fourth place in the championship is the norm.”
“We want a strong Ferrari. They have the right to be in a stronger position. They need to make sure there is the right energy and the right follow-up, because in 2026 everyone is talking but no one knows where they will be.”
“Looking at what happened last year, everyone should have already known what was going to happen in the future. There is an evolution in every race, so stay tuned.”
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Karun Chandhok and Ted Kravitz discuss what Lewis Hamilton will do if Ferrari fails in 2026.
Domenicali: I told Lando to keep smiling.
Lando Norris will enter the new season as defending champion, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8, but new technical regulations could cause a change in his ranking.
As a result of the rule review, three pre-season tests will be held in Barcelona from January 26th to 30th, in Bahrain from February 11th to 13th, and again in Bahrain from February 18th to 20th.
After winning his first championship, Norris now has the chance to become the first British driver to defend a world title.
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Watch Lando Norris’ full interview with Craig Slater about winning McLaren’s first drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.
“He’s a very positive, young, energetic personality that’s different from other players. I think he needs to stick to one of the things I’ve always told him, to keep smiling,” Domenicali said.
“You need positive energy. Sometimes they’re young and they’re doing a great job. They’re role models for a lot of people, so they have to remember that they’re unique talents. But I always tell him, it’s no secret, keep smiling.”
Last year, Norris edged out McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen to take the lead in the first title race with more than one driver since 2010.
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Sky Sports News’ Jamie Weir talks to Lando Norris’ former driving coach Lee Rennison about Norris’ F1 Drivers’ Championship win
Domenicali said 2025 was a “phenomenal” year for F1, with “a lot of interest from the sport’s commercial partners” and that everyone should be “very proud”.
“We definitely feel this energy right now and want to continue to grow our sport at every level given the fact that everyone is important in growing this sport,” he added.
“That’s my hope (for 2026) because I expect everyone to feel it on every level.”
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, including the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
