Ferrari have started 2026 in fine style, with three podiums from the first three races. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have both led at times too, as the Scuderia attempt to take on Mercedes with their fast-starting SF-26. But can they back up those fast starts with wins going forward? Here is the state of play at Ferrari…<\/p>\n
How has the 2026 season gone so far?<\/p>\n
You would have to argue that Ferrari<\/a> have had a positive start to the year. They looked strong at the Barcelona Shakedown, with limited reliability woes, and all eyes were on their starts too after Bahrain pre-season testing, which looked rapid.<\/p>\n They proved to be just that, Leclerc<\/a> fighting for the lead in Melbourne from fourth on the grid, as Hamilton<\/a> made up places too. Although the Monegasque driver fell back through the first sequence of pit stops, he still finished on the podium just ahead of his team mate.<\/p>\n Hamilton was the stronger of the two in Shanghai, grabbing his first Grand Prix podium with Ferrari since joining the team at the start of 2025. He also led the race in China, but could not hold his former team at bay with Kimi Antonelli<\/a> and George Russell<\/a> getting past the seven-time World Champion.<\/p>\n That led to an epic intra-team battle<\/a> between Hamilton and Leclerc for the final podium place, with multiple overtakes that left many in the paddock distracted from watching their own drivers compete.<\/p>\n Moving on to Japan, Leclerc was back on top as he grabbed third from fourth on the grid, although this time he did not manage to lead the race from that starting slot. Hamilton faded slightly with worn out tyres, losing out to Lando Norris<\/a> to come home sixth.<\/p>\n But those results, plus a second for Leclerc and a third for Hamilton in the Sprint in Shanghai, mean Ferrari are Mercedes\u2019 closest rivals so far in 2026, albeit already 45 points in arrears.<\/p>\n Reasons to be hopeful<\/p>\n Ferrari have the best starts on the grid \u2013 of that, there is no doubt. As long as Leclerc and Hamilton qualify somewhere near the front, they will be in the fight for the lead. All they have to do now is work out a way to keep Mercedes behind once they get out in front.<\/p>\n Hamilton has gelled with this car much better than last year\u2019s, and is already pushing Leclerc close and beating him at times, which points to Ferrari having two cars in the fight week in, week out.<\/p>\n And Leclerc himself is showing every sign of picking up where he left off in 2025, being quick over one lap and feisty on race days. Ferrari have two drivers ready and raring to deliver the wins \u2013 they just need to provide them with a car to do so.<\/p>\n Reasons to be cautious<\/p>\n Ferrari\u2019s power unit is delivering in some areas, but not all. They seem to lack some straight line speed, but are stronger through the corners. It is a good unit, but not quite on the pace of the Mercedes PU just yet.<\/p>\n With McLaren starting to fight back, Ferrari could also find themselves bumped to the third row of the grid, taking away some of that advantage at the start, which makes it harder to keep the pressure on Mercedes.<\/p>\n