Scuderia Ferrari is open to changes in some of the 2026 regulations that Red Bull is supporting and that Mercedes has completely rejected. The rules regarding the chassis, in fact, are still being defined, with the goal of making the cars lighter and introducing an aerodynamic model in which the wings can adjust on straights. Red Bull has publicly expressed concerns, particularly regarding the power split between combustion and electric power, and has requested a reduction in the latter. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained that a 5-10% swing could have a significant effect. On the Mercedes side, Toto Wolff stated that it is impossible for the FIA to change the rules just to do Red Bull a favor.
Mercedes’ position is clear: the changes Red Bull is asking for are dubious.
The thinking is different for Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, who agrees with Red Bull. The Frenchman stated that a small change in the combustion/electric power ratio is absolutely possible. He emphasized that if it is a real issue, it should be addressed immediately.
Speaking on Thursday at Silverstone, Frederic Vasseur explained: “First and foremost, I think the most important thing is to agree on what the performance speeds in 2026 could be, with a careful analysis of the simulations. Then, if we realize that changes are necessary, we will proceed.”
When asked if it was too late since the majority of the rules are already set, Fred Vasseur replied, “No, we have time to fine-tune some things. In any case, whether the split is 50-50 or 55-45, it is not a turning point in engine development. It is still early, we have time to sort things out.”
And in another separate answer on Thursday, the Frenchman provided more details: “It’s early enough to make a small change. And the impact on the speed of plus or minus 5% of energy coming from the ICE [internal combustion engine], is mega. But we don’t need to come back to 20% [electric, as under the current rules].”
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Previously, Red Bull Boss Christian Horner asserted that the FIA is diligently assessing the situation and that “certain teams hold opinions very much aligned with ours.”
In private discussions during F1 Commission meetings, he has been advocating for this stance. However, some of Red Bull’s competitors perceived his efforts as unilateral and it has been suggested that it is highly improbable for Formula 1 and the FIA to endorse a significant alteration to the power unit regulations, such as a reduction in electrical power output.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur explained that he feels it is “very difficult to have a clear picture” at this stage given the fact that all estimates are “just full of assumptions”, and pointed out the key focus should be to identify some clear parameters “and then what we have to change to try to improve the show, not to start in the opposite way, to complain before to do the exercise”.
“We don’t know about the size of the tyres. We don’t know about the grip of the tyres. We don’t know about the level of downforce. We don’t know about the level of drag. We don’t know how much DRS. We don’t know. And we are making speed traces [when] we don’t know. It’s why we have to sit down together to try to show that this one is right, this one is wrong, and to try to build up something together. I want to be optimistic.” – the Frenchman continued.
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