How Could Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or Affect Formula 1?

Ferrari's showing at the United States Grand Prix offered genuine encouragement—Charles Leclerc was firmly in contention for a podium finish, while Lewis Hamilton also matched the pace of the top three. The Scuderia pair avoided any opening-lap drama and executed their strategy to perfection, in stark contrast to their outing in Singapore.

Is the fourth and final upgrade package on the SF-26 delivering the expected results, and will this iteration of the car truly serve as the baseline for next year's challenger? Most importantly, will it be enough for Ferrari to mount a serious title fight and reclaim the crown?

If history and the Ballon d'Or voting patterns are anything to go by, there might just be a genuine chance.

The last time an English footballer claimed the prestigious accolade, a Ferrari driver was crowned Formula 1 World Champion the very next year.

Back in 2001, Liverpool star Michael Owen triumphed in the France Football vote, and the following year Michael Schumacher delivered one of his most dominant campaigns with Ferrari to sweep the 2002 Formula 1 season.

A similar trend emerged years earlier when legend Kevin Keegan won back-to-back Ballon d'Or awards in 1978 and 1979. His first triumph was followed by Jody Scheckter clinching the F1 World Championship for Ferrari. However, the pattern failed to repeat in 1980, with the title going to Alan Jones and Williams. The previous two occasions an Englishman won the Ballon d'Or also did not yield a Ferrari championship the following season.