Capelli’s jab: “Ferrari needed Newey more than Hamilton”

Redemption objective Today in Barcelona with the first day of shakedown, the 2026 Formula 1 season formally opens, that of the revolution. New aerodynamics, different power units and the possibility for teams to overturn the hierarchies that have been consolidated in recent years. This is a tempting opportunity for Ferrari, fresh from a nightmare 2025 and eager to finally return to compete for victories and for that World Championship that has been missing since the 2007-2008 seasons. Speaking of redemption, this year all the eyes of Ferrari fans – and not only them – will be on Lewis Hamilton. The first year with the Cavallino on his chest for the seven-time world champion had to be cancelled; now the Englishman is called to a sporting resurrection, also to avoid the risk of this turning into his last season in the Circus. Interviewed by Leo Turrini for QN, Ivan Capelli – former Ferrari driver and now appreciated TV commentator for Sky Italia – tried to analyze the current situation of the Scuderia and of the #44 himself. “I believe that Ferrari has a duty to be competitive – said Capelli – I expect them up front, competing with the best. Lewis, in my opinion, still wants to take risks. He’s coming off a bad year and he knows it. He’ll look for redemption, I can’t imagine a sad end to his career. But I find it strange that his new race engineer hasn’t yet been officially appointed, in place of Riccardo Adami. Maybe it’s just a matter of hours, but certain things should be clarified in advance.” Lewis or Adrian? Capelli then did not fail to take a small dig at Ferrari regarding the failure to hire Adrian Newey. The current team principal of Aston Martin, with whom Capelli had worked at the time of Leyton House, had been very close to the red in 2024 but then – as is known – the negotiation had derailed. “There was a negotiation – confirmed Capelli – as far as I know it didn’t materialize because he was asking for room for maneuver in the company which his interlocutors didn’t feel like granting him”. But would Ferrari have needed more Newey behind the desk or Hamilton behind the wheel? Capelli has no doubts about this: “Newey, all my life. The top driver was already there in Ferrari: it’s Leclerc. However, that’s how it went, there’s no point in continuing to talk about it”, commented the former Milanese driver.