Ferrari insider reveals why team should stick with Fred Vasseur and focus on innovation. Former Ferrari engineer Francesco Cigarini evaluates the Scuderia’s 2026 Formula 1 start.

Francesco Cigarini, who spent more than twenty years at Ferrari, has delivered a positive assessment of the Scuderia’s start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Ferrari the second force

During the 2025 season, team principal Frederic Vasseur had explained that Ferrari halted aerodynamic development on the SF-25 as early as April, in order to fully dedicate workforce and resources to the 2026 project. In the opening three races of the new campaign, marked by a widely debated regulatory revolution, Ferrari has secured three third-place finishes in as many Grands Prix.

Based on the standings, the Scuderia currently sits as the second-strongest team, trailing Mercedes by 45 points, while holding a 44-point advantage over McLaren and a 74-point margin over Red Bull. The progress compared to the first three races of 2025 is clear: back then, the Maranello-based outfit had collected just 35 points, whereas it now stands at 90.

So, is the glass half full or half empty for the Prancing Horse? FormulaPassion.it put that question to Francesco Cigarini, who spent 22 years working at Ferrari.

“Vasseur? No need to look for a replacement”

Francesco Cigarini, from a Ferrari perspective, how do you evaluate this start to the season?

“Ferrari’s start represents a change of direction compared to last year. Being the second force is generally positive, because the work carried out on understanding and applying the new regulations confirms that they have worked well, even if for now it is not enough. However, it would only take a misstep from the Mercedes-powered teams (the works team and possibly some customers as well) to take advantage.

The design improvements that go beyond conventional approaches are a positive sign, because instead of ‘copying’ ideas from others, they are implementing studies and concepts developed in Maranello, which reflects a renewed and stimulating desire to innovate.”

Considering the various regulatory issues that have involved Mercedes at the start of the season, do you believe team principal Frederic Vasseur is the right man for Ferrari’s political battles in Formula 1?

“Fred Vasseur is now fully integrated into the system and understands everything much better. Looking for a replacement at this stage is pointless; it is better to focus on ideas rather than changing the leader.”