Major Ferrari 'problem' highlighted as Lewis Hamilton milestone not taken 'for granted'

Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has cast doubt over the Italian team's ability to mount a sustained F1 title challenge in 2026, despite acknowledging signs of progress compared to last season.

Speaking after the Japanese Grand Prix, the Irishman suggested that Ferrari still faces structural disadvantages that make a championship push difficult, even as its overall competitiveness has improved.

"It's always very complicated for the Scuderia," Irvine told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "The problem is the distance from the heart of Formula 1, which is the United Kingdom."

Ferrari has made a more consistent start to the 2026 campaign than it managed in 2025, when it struggled with car balance and tyre management, often slipping behind its direct rivals on race pace.

This season, the team has more regularly featured in the fight for podiums, even if outright victories have remained elusive so far.

"Compared to last year, however, I think they could manage at least one win," the four-time grand prix winner, who narrowly missed out on the 1999 drivers' championship, added.

Not taking Hamilton's first Ferrari podium 'for granted'

A major storyline for 2026 has been the revival of Lewis Hamilton, who struggled last year after joining Ferrari following a long spell with Mercedes.

The move brought renewed attention to the team, but the results were underwhelming as the British driver adapted to a new environment.

While the seven-time world champion has shown flashes of competitiveness this term, including his first podium for Ferrari in China, he has not yet consistently matched the pace of team-mate Charles Leclerc.

"I wouldn't take that for granted," Irvine said of Hamilton's return to the rostrum. "In China, he reached the podium with Ferrari for the first time, but that's a circuit that suits him."

Leclerc has generally had the upper hand in qualifying and race trim, particularly at more technical circuits. That trend was evident at Suzuka, where Hamilton endured a difficult weekend relative to his team-mate.

"In Japan, on the other hand, he was outclassed by Charles Leclerc throughout the entire weekend," Irvine stated.