Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff foresees Ferrari joining the fight for the world title in 2022, when Formula 1 will usher in its all-new technical regulations.
The House of Maranello has made a significant step forward this year after a dismal 2020 campaign that saw the team tumble from its runner-up spot behind Mercedes in 2019 to a lowly sixth in the Constructors' standings.
The introduction of a hopefully transformative new set of regulations next season is expected to impose a major reset on F1.
While Mercedes and Red Bull are likely to retain their dominant position, Wolff believes - and indeed hopes - that Ferrari will rejoin the party.
"I assume that Ferrari can fight for the world title in 2022," the Merc boss told Speedweek. "We need a championship next season with ideally four or five winning teams, and Ferrari has to be one of those teams.
"Ferrari has a strong driver duo. They have recovered from the weak 2020 season and gained significantly.
"Hopefully they will be at the front in 2022 against Red Bull, McLaren, us, Aston Martin and whoever. The more teams, the more interesting for the fans."
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz recently revealed that they have already sampled their 2022 car in the Scuderia's simulator, and the Italian outfit's engineers are sparing no effort to field a competitive machine.
Ferrari has also announced that it will finally update its current engine in the coming weeks in order to optimize the unit ahead of F1's engine regulation freeze that will be in force from next season.
Wolff insists that Formula 1's most successful team in its history needs to restore its former lustre for the interest of Grand Prix racing.
"[When] Ferrari are in crisis, that's bad for the whole of Formula 1," said Wolff.
"Ferrari is an icon among the brands, and they should be at the front. No one from Ferrari or the fans deserve such a result."
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