Ferrari's comprehensive victory at the 2025 6 Hours of Imola stands as a masterclass in endurance racing strategy—making their current Formula 1 struggles all the more perplexing. While the WEC Hypercar program delivers championship-caliber performances, Ferrari's F1 operation admits to being "a huge step" behind Mercedes, exposing how the same manufacturer can excel in one category while faltering in another.
Ferrari's behind-the-scenes documentary from Imola reveals the strategic depth and emotional intelligence that defined their WEC triumph. The drivers' insider account shows precisely the kind of race-winning decision-making that has been frustratingly absent from their 2026 F1 campaign, where Charles Leclerc sits third with 49 points and Lewis Hamilton fourth with 41 points—miles behind Mercedes' dominant pairing of Kimi Antonelli (72 points) and George Russell (63 points).
The Tale of Two Ferraris
The contrast couldn't be starker. Ferrari's WEC operation executed flawless strategy at Imola, with drivers making crucial calls under pressure that delivered victory. Meanwhile, Team Principal Fred Vasseur told Motorsport Week that their SF-26 lacks "significant straight-line speed compared to the pace-setting Mercedes," particularly in energy deployment efficiency.
Hamilton, speaking ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, highlighted how "the Mercedes takes a huge step on the straights" with superior hybrid power unit deployment. This fundamental limitation forces both Ferrari drivers to concede crucial time on long straights, exactly the opposite of the commanding performance their WEC counterparts delivered at Imola.
Despite securing podium finishes in every F1 race this season, Ferrari's pace deficit is actually increasing. The team's Head of Strategy, Ravin Jain, reflected on the first three races of 2026, acknowledging areas where performance must improve—a stark contrast to the victorious strategic calls showcased in their WEC documentary.
Where Ferrari Excels vs. Where It Falters
The technical regulations tell much of the story. Ferrari's WEC Hypercar program operates under rules that reward strategic thinking and driver input—exactly what their Imola victory documentary captures. The behind-the-scenes footage shows drivers making race-defining decisions, the kind of strategic flexibility that F1's highly restrictive 2026 regulations have largely eliminated.
F1's new overtake mode compounds Ferrari's problems. Vasseur noted how this feature creates "DRS train" scenarios that particularly hurt teams lacking straight-line speed. When overtake mode disengages, Ferrari's fundamental power unit disadvantage becomes brutally exposed—a limitation that doesn't exist in WEC's different technical framework.
The energy deployment gap is quantifiable. According to Hamilton, Mercedes enjoys "a little bit more deployment" and experiences "less de-rating at the end of the straights." This isn't just about peak power—it's about sustained performance over race distances, precisely where Ferrari's WEC program excels but their F1 operation struggles.
Lessons Across Categories
Ferrari's WEC success provides a blueprint for what's possible when technical regulations align with their strengths. The strategic thinking evident in their Imola victory—captured in drivers' real-time decision-making—represents exactly the kind of racing intelligence that could transform their F1 fortunes if properly channeled.
The upcoming Monza upgrades during the April break offer Ferrari's best chance to bridge this gap. With "good data from the first three races," as their strategy team noted, Ferrari knows precisely where improvements are needed. Their WEC victory proves they possess the organizational capability to execute under pressure—now it's about translating that excellence to F1's different technical demands.
The real question is resource allocation. Ferrari's WEC triumph required the same strategic depth, technical precision, and driver development that F1 success demands. The difference lies in how effectively each program can deploy these shared capabilities within their respective regulatory frameworks.
Ferrari's contrasting fortunes across championships will face their ultimate test when F1 returns at Miami in May. The Monza upgrade package represents more than just technical development—it's a chance to prove that the strategic excellence showcased at Imola can finally translate to F1 success against Mercedes' dominant machinery.
Source: Scuderia Ferrari