Jean Alesi 'very satisfied' with Ferrari's 'real' F1 car start to 2026 season

Ferrari legend Jean Alesi, while acknowledging his past misjudgments, is confident the team has started the 2026 season with a "real" car capable of fighting. The Scuderia sits second in the Constructors' Championship but faces a significant 45-point deficit to a dominant Mercedes team that has won all three opening races.

Why it matters:

Alesi's endorsement carries weight with the Tifosi, and his shift from past criticism to current optimism signals a perceived fundamental improvement at Maranello. For a team that hasn't won a title since 2008, having a car deemed a genuine contender by an insider is a crucial psychological and competitive milestone, even if a performance gap to the front remains.

The details:

• Alesi's Changed Tune: The former Ferrari driver openly admits his past season previews were often "a catastrophe," but insists his current positive assessment is based on the facts of the car's performance.
• The Standings Reality: Ferrari has scored 90 points with three podiums, showcasing improved consistency. However, Mercedes' perfect sweep highlights the work still needed to fight for wins.
• Performance Gap: Alesi notes the Ferrari can challenge the Mercedes W17 initially, particularly off the line, but struggles to match its pace in clean air, especially once the rival car builds a one-second gap.
• Driver Line-Up Strength: Alesi strongly defends Lewis Hamilton against early criticism, pointing to his Chinese GP podium as proof he's "still there." He also places Charles Leclerc in his personal top tier of drivers alongside Max Verstappen.
• The Development Battle: The season's outcome will hinge on in-season development. Alesi points out that McLaren, a customer team using the same Mercedes power unit, will be a fierce competitor in this arena, alongside the ever-present threat from Red Bull and Verstappen.

What's next:

The looming introduction of Formula 1's Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) could be a game-changer. If implemented after Miami, this rule would allow Ferrari (and Red Bull) to develop their power units to close a proven performance deficit to Mercedes. This regulatory mechanism, combined with the long development season ahead, means Ferrari's "real" car is just the starting point for a much larger championship battle.