Ferrari have started the 2026 season with an attitude Franck Montagny hasn’t seen in over a decade, and he thinks it’s something other teams should be paying attention to.
Ferrari haven’t had this kind of energy around them for quite some time. They’re not just faster – they look confident, and even small changes on the track seem to be working out for them. It’s still early in the season, but that shift is hard to miss.
Charles Leclerc has been consistent, finishing each of the first three races inside the top four. Hamilton picked up his first Ferrari podium with a third place in China. But what stands out most to Montagny isn’t just their early results – it’s how focused Ferrari look compared to their competition.
Teams like Mercedes are used to fighting at the front, while Red Bull are having a tough time adjusting under the new rules. Ferrari’s steadiness stands out even more against that backdrop.
Fred Vasseur and Ferrari’s rare calmness suggests they have ‘found something’ their rivals have not
Mercedes had a clear edge over Ferrari in the opening races of the season, but Montagny noticed something different about the Maranello-based squad this year. From team principal Fred Vasseur to Hamilton and Leclerc, there hasn’t been any sign of doubt so far.
On top of that, Vasseur mentioned that Ferrari sees Miami as a potential turning point. With a five-week break between Japan and America, the team sees it as an opportunity to make up some ground. They also plan to test their upgrades at Monza during a filming day before heading to Miami.
Montagny told Formula1.it: “This year, Ferrari are synonymous with serenity. Calm reigns, both regarding the battles on the track and the changes, whether they work or not, they don’t mind.
“The drivers are positive, aware and calm. They believe in the process. For me, Ferrari are the only team that doesn’t seem to show any doubts. And that’s why they’re the only team that worries me. Have they understood something that we haven’t?
“In the first three Grands Prix there hasn’t been a single discordant note in their comments, and it’s the first time in the last 10 years that I’ve felt Ferrari so calm. If I were in another team I’d be really worried and I’d ask myself ‘Have Ferrari found something?’”
The upcoming race isn’t just about technical gains for Ferrari’s pride; momentum is starting to build behind them across F1, too.
The championship leader feels Mercedes will need more than just an engine update to maintain their lead over Verstappen and Red Bull beyond round four of 28 races.
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