Frederic Vasseur warns against jumping to conclusions after the first Formula 1 race in 2026 and is fully focused on developing the car
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur expects rapid evolution among the teams for the 2026 Formula 1 season. He is convinced that the initial pecking order at the start of the season in Melbourne will change quickly once the teams develop a better understanding of the new regulations.
The upcoming rule change for 2026, which includes comprehensive new power units, modified energy management, and revised aerodynamics, marks one of the most profound changes in the history of Formula 1. This realignment gives Ferrari the opportunity to compete for the top spot right from the start, after the team was unable to mount a serious challenge for the world championship title in the outgoing era.
To increase its chances of success, Ferrari shifted the focus of its aerodynamic development almost entirely to the 2026 car as early as April. However, this strategic decision came at a price: in the second half of 2025, the team fell back to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship and ended the season without a single race win.
Development is key
Vasseur is aware of the high expectations placed on Ferrari for the 2026 season, especially after he and his team came under increasing scrutiny and pressure in Italy this year.
At the same time, he emphasizes that the key to success next year lies primarily in improvements during the season—not in the result of the first race in Melbourne. To achieve this, teams need to develop and understand a wide range of performance factors.
“Next year, it won’t be about the snapshot at the start of the season, not just the result in Australia, but above all the capacity for rapid further development,” warns Vasseur. “The season is certainly not over after Australia. It doesn’t matter whether we’re in first or tenth place, it’s going to be a long way to the end for everyone.”
The best work will decide
When asked whether his strategic decisions will pay off in 2025, the Frenchman replies: “I have no idea. Our sport is based on comparisons. I can do a good job, but if someone else does a better job, I’ll look stupid.”
“We push ourselves to the limit and try to do our best. And one thing is certain: the more time you invest in the project, the better you will be,” he explains. “But I don’t know if McLaren, Red Bull or Alpine are ahead of us. Nobody knows that, and I think the most important thing is not to waste time thinking about whether the others are ahead of us or behind us. “
According to Charles Leclerc, everything is at stake for Ferrari in the new era, and he sees the opportunity as ”now or never.” Although the Monegasque had one of his strongest Formula 1 seasons in 2025, he had no real chance of winning the title.
Leclerc hungry for more
Since joining Ferrari in 2019, Leclerc is still waiting for a real championship chance. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, needs a “reset” over the winter after a much more difficult debut season in Maranello than expected.
Does Vasseur share Leclerc’s impatience? “No, there’s no rush. But if you ask him if he’s satisfied with a session when he finishes second or sixth, then it’s definitely not the same Charles,“ says Vasseur. ”But if you ask him on Thursday, ‘What do you want to achieve with the team?’, then the approach is always the same. It’s always constructive to want to improve, even if I’m in first place. We simply try to improve in every single area: the engine, the gearbox, the aerodynamics, the setup, the simulator. That’s the DNA of our work.“
Vasseur adds: ”It’s not like one team wakes up in the morning and thinks, ‘Ah, we’re not doing a good job, we need to push’. Believe me, I think Max [Verstappen] pushes his team to the limit, Lando [Norris] pushes his team to the limit. And honestly, that’s what we expect as a Formula 1 team. If Charles and Lewis were totally happy with the car and everything, I’d be desperate! That’s more positive than anything else.”