The winter calm at Maranello has been shattered—not by engines, but by politics.

As Formula 1 braces for the radical 2026 regulations, Ferrari has abandoned patience. According to veteran broadcaster Martin Brundle, the Scuderia is no longer quietly rebuilding. It is, in his words, “restructuring for war.”

Behind closed doors, a ruthless internal shake-up is unfolding—one designed around a single, unforgiving objective: build a machine capable of delivering Lewis Hamilton an eighth world title… or accept total failure.

A Coup at Maranello: Precision or Panic?

Ferrari has always been fueled by passion—and plagued by politics. But Brundle suggests this winter’s upheaval goes far beyond routine restructuring. What’s happening now resembles a full-scale internal coup: sweeping personnel changes, abrupt exits, and aggressive talent raids.

“Ferrari’s winter hasn’t felt like a rebuild,” Brundle observed.
“It’s felt like a coup. They are restructuring for war. They know what’s at stake.”

The trigger appears to be a bruising 2025 season, where the much-hyped Hamilton-Ferrari partnership struggled to ignite. The response has been swift and unforgiving. Sources indicate that long-time race engineer Ricardo Adami—Hamilton’s radio voice—has been removed from his role. Whether reassigned or dismissed, the signal is clear: past reputation no longer guarantees survival.

Poaching the Enemy: Ferrari’s New Power Play

While exits grabbed headlines, one arrival sent a louder message.

Ferrari has successfully lured Guillaume Dezoteux, formerly Head of Vehicle Performance at Racing Bulls, straight out of the Red Bull ecosystem. Slated to begin as Head of Performance Operations, his recruitment is widely viewed as a declaration of war.

“When Ferrari steals top technical talent from a rival,” Brundle noted,
“it’s a clear signal: plunder the best minds, close the gap—fast.”

This follows earlier high-profile hires from Mercedes, forming what insiders describe as a “Galácticos” engineering lineup. The upside is obvious. The risk is just as real: clashing philosophies, compressed timelines, and unbearable pressure.

Fred Vasseur: All In, No Safety Net

At the center of the storm stands Fred Vasseur.

Tasked with ending Ferrari’s long championship drought, Vasseur is reportedly operating with a clock ticking louder by the day. The board wants results—now. The 2026 regulations represent a narrow window, and insiders suggest failure could cost him his job.

“Deliver quickly, or be replaced,” is the mood around Maranello.

Every move—the engineer reshuffles, the aggressive hires, the cultural reset—is driven by that pressure. Brundle’s verdict was blunt: if the reforms don’t show results fast, Vasseur may not survive the season.

The Hamilton Variable

Everything in this restructuring orbits one man.

Hamilton didn’t come to Ferrari to be patient. He came to win. The 2026 era—defined by hybrid complexity, software integration, and energy management—demands absolute trust between driver and team. The removal of his previous engineer suggests that trust may have fractured.

“Adapting to a driver like Hamilton is brutally difficult,” Brundle warned.
“The talent must translate complexity into clarity—or it all falls apart.”

A dream team without chemistry is just a collection of résumés.

Masterstroke or Meltdown?

As pre-season attention turns toward Bahrain, whispers from private sessions suggest Ferrari looks quick. Hamilton has reportedly logged heavy mileage and eye-catching pace. But testing lies, and culture doesn’t reset overnight.

If Vasseur’s gamble works, Ferrari may finally rediscover its lost dominance.
If it fails, this winter will be remembered as a desperate purge that destroyed stability in pursuit of a miracle.

Brundle captured it perfectly:

“If Ferrari have got this right, we’re witnessing a renaissance.
If not, it will look like a desperate scramble.”

For Ferrari, for Hamilton, and especially for Vasseur, there is no middle ground.
2026 isn’t a season. It’s a verdict.