Former Formula 1 driver and Sky UK analyst Karun Chandhok has delivered a sharp assessment of Ferrari's recent performance, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the major upgrade package brought to the Miami Grand Prix.
Chandhok expressed significant concern, suggesting that if this represented Ferrari's primary development push for the first half of the season, rival teams McLaren and Mercedes have little reason to feel threatened. The Miami weekend was widely anticipated as a potential turning point for the Scuderia, but Chandhok observed the opposite, stating the team appeared to have regressed further.
The analyst highlighted a growing sense of unease that should be felt both within the Maranello factory and among the passionate Ferrari fanbase. He stressed the critical need for the team to analyze whether the performance of this update package can still be optimized or unlocked. Failure to do so, he warned, could see Ferrari fall further behind as competitors bring their own developments, with McLaren expected to introduce new parts in Canada and Mercedes planning a significant package.
The tangible results from the Miami weekend did little to inspire confidence. Ferrari arrived with a substantial 11-item list of updates for the SF-26 car. However, the on-track performance told a different story. Charles Leclerc crossed the finish line in sixth position, a result that was later demoted to eighth following a time penalty. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, also finished sixth, but his race was compromised by damage sustained on the opening lap.
Looking ahead, the team's hopes for a more substantial performance leap appear to be pinned on a later development. Ferrari is reportedly targeting the Belgian Grand Prix as the earliest opportunity to introduce a new engine specification, a component that could provide a more fundamental boost to their competitiveness.
The situation presents a challenging mid-season puzzle for the historic Italian team. While the volume of updates in Miami was high, the lack of a corresponding leap in performance has raised serious questions about the direction of their development path and their ability to challenge the current front-runners.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.