During a press meeting in Maranello, Frederic Vasseur provided an in-depth analysis of the recently concluded season. A particularly hot topic was the decision to halt development on the SF-25 prematurely, shifting all resources toward Project 678, the car set to debut for the 2026 regulations. This strategy was staunchly defended by the Team Principal and backed by drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who revealed during the season finale that they were involved in the decision-making process and endorsed the plan to prioritize a strong start to the new era.
The 2025 campaign was compromised almost immediately by a difficult start, with McLaren emerging as the clear favorite. Ferrari’s situation was further complicated by the double disqualification in China during the second Grand Prix. The French manager believes the team must learn from these errors, ensuring the 2026 cycle begins under better circumstances.
“We started on the wrong foot in Bahrain, and after the disqualification in China, our backs were essentially against the wall,” Fred Vasseur confessed. He noted that the situation cost Ferrari “mileage and data references,” forcing them to play catch-up with their rivals. However, Fred Vasseur expressed satisfaction with the team’s resilience: “Within a few races, we found a decent pace, but by then we were already 100 points behind McLaren and lacking two to three-tenths of pure performance.” It was this realization—that the championship was slipping out of reach—that triggered the immediate pivot to 2026.
The sacrifice of 2025 development: “It was tough”
The Team Principal admits that the decision made around April 2025 was a painful one, and he acknowledges that certain repercussions were underestimated. As stated throughout the year, one overlooked factor was “the psychological effect on those within the team, including the drivers, even if it was for a good cause—focusing on 2026. Believe me, it was difficult for them, and for me as well.”
Fred Vasseur did not hide the fact that competing in 20 races without aerodynamic updates was a massive challenge to manage. Despite this, the Scuderia did not completely abandon the previous season; they introduced a new rear suspension in Belgium and delivered solid performances across Austin, Mexico, Brazil, and a strong finish in Abu Dhabi.
When asked about Laurent Mekies‘ comments justifying Red Bull’s decision to continue developing the RB21 for potential 2026 gains, Fred Vasseur offered a different perspective: “I won’t speak for Laurent, but I don’t think he meant aerodynamic development, as it is difficult to carry anything over between 2025 and 2026. What is true is that if you understand something about your car—in terms of ideas or concepts—it might be useful for this year’s cars.” In this regard, Fred Vasseur emphasized that Ferrari continued to work through mechanical upgrades and trackside optimization every weekend.
The front wing remains king
Regarding aerodynamics, Technical Director Loic Serra explained that the 2026 cars will operate fundamentally differently compared to the current ground-effect machines. This shift starts with front-end airflow management: entirely different wings and the implementation of active aerodynamics with two modes (Straight and Corner Mode). While Serra did not disclose specific details regarding the impact on downforce levels, he downplayed the potential losses compared to initial projections.
According to reports from AutoRacer, Ferrari has placed immense focus on the front end—an area that hasn’t always been a strength in the team’s recent history. The team has conducted extensive testing on the front-end geometry and nose length, as the management of airflow under the nose will have significant consequences for the floor’s downforce and the overall bodywork design.
In the pursuit of the perfect aerodynamic map, Ferrari has reportedly tested 50 different front wing concepts. Given the importance of rapid and effective development, correlation will be the decisive factor. A seamless interaction between the wind tunnel, CFD, simulator, and track reality will allow the team to move forward with confidence and cost-efficiency.
Fred Vasseur remains optimistic based on recent progress, though he acknowledges the magnitude of the change: “Correlation has been good in recent years; we haven’t had issues. It’s true that we will all need to monitor it closely because we are talking about brand-new projects with new tires. This will be a major topic during the first tests in Barcelona. It will be a bit of an unknown area, unlike 2025, where the project was a direct evolution of the previous year.”
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