During the morning session of Day 2 of the final Bahrain pre-season tests, the SF-26 experienced a reliability issue. Was Fred Vasseur concerned, or was it just a normal early-season hiccup? With pre-season testing nearing its end, Ferrari has been performing very well so far. However, over the first two days, the SF-26 has faced minor reliability issues, and during the Day-2 morning session, Lewis Hamilton had to stop on track for about three hours. Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur shared his thoughts on the situation and the overall progress made during the tests.
Ferrari impressing in Bahrain
The Scuderia has been turning heads with its technical innovations, particularly around the diffuser area, and a completely new rear wing that stands out compared to the rest of the grid. The final test day will reveal if Ferrari brings any more updates before heading directly to Melbourne for the season opener.
Vasseur on reliability
“We’ve made great progress in terms of reliability. We’ve covered much more mileage than expected—around 5,000 kilometers, which is far beyond what we anticipated three weeks ago. We had a small issue this morning, which required stopping the car for three hours. We’re preparing parts for Melbourne because we’re short in some areas. But overall, reliability has been very, very good. And this isn’t just for us—I’ve been impressed by the number of laps completed by every team since the start of testing.”
So far, reliability has been a strong point for Ferrari, which is normal at the start of a new regulations cycle. Ferrari has introduced many visible and invisible upgrades that have impressed the paddock. Fred Vasseur added: “Everyone brings innovations—sometimes visible, sometimes not. I’m sure our rivals and all other teams are doing the same. The last two upgrades we brought to the track were visible, but there’s not a huge difference compared to the others. I don’t know if it will be for Melbourne or the next race.”
The starting procedure issue
Recently, much discussion has surrounded safety at race starts. Ferrari opposed a regulation change, and Fred Vasseur explained why: “A year ago, we raised concerns with the FIA about the starting procedure, which was complicated. Everyone knew that without the MGU-H, the start would be delicate. The FIA chose not to change the procedure. All teams made decisions on the new engine architecture based on the regulations. But I think the new procedure with the flashing lights is suitable for everyone. Everyone is happy, we all think it’s safe, and we proceed. If someone isn’t convinced, they can always start from the pit lane if it’s not safe.”
Ferrari opposed changes because it had already tried to improve the system a year ago. Since the proposal was not considered, the team focused on resolving the issue internally—a challenge that other teams are now facing. Fred Vasseur and Ferrari clearly want to retain this advantage, which they believe is deserved. There was even talk of a rolling start in Australia, but the FIA is testing a new procedure to prevent this unnecessary solution.
While Ferrari deals with a minor shortage of spare parts and occasional reliability glitches, Fred Vasseur therefore remains highly confident in the SF-26’s overall endurance and is prepared to defend the team’s technical preparation regarding the new 2026 start procedures heading into Melbourne.
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