Ferrari has established itself as Mercedes’ closest challenger in the opening phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season, although the gap to the front still appears significant. Within this context, a former figure from Maranello has offered his assessment of the work carried out by team principal Frédéric Vasseur—someone who knows Ferrari from the inside and now sees a far more encouraging picture compared to the recent past.
Speaking to RacingNews365, Jean Alesi explained how his opinion of Ferrari has changed dramatically compared to last season. He openly recalled describing 2025 as “a catastrophe,” insisting that he had simply stated the facts at the time. Now, however, he sees a team that appears more solid, more consistent, and finally capable of presenting a car that reflects Ferrari’s true identity. The former French driver admitted he has been genuinely impressed by the work done so far and did not hide his admiration for Fred Vasseur, emphasizing how complex it is to lead a Formula 1 team—especially at Ferrari, where everything is amplified.
Alesi: “Now I am very satisfied, they showed up with a real Ferrari”
“At the end of last year, they asked me how Ferrari had performed and I replied, ‘a catastrophe.’ I didn’t say anything wrong—I was simply describing the facts. Now, however, I am very satisfied with how they have started the season; they showed up with a real Ferrari. I have been truly impressed. Fred has been doing an excellent job since day one. Being a team principal must be incredibly complex, and at Ferrari it is a completely different story: everything is multiplied by 100%. At the moment, there is not a single individual who can truly make the difference within a Formula 1 structure. Last year, Fred Vasseur was very frustrated because it was difficult to keep everyone united. There was a lot of criticism directed at him and at the team, and that affected the internal balance. Now we are only at the beginning, but it seems that Ferrari is on the right path.”
Jean Alesi’s comments come at a time when Ferrari is in need of confirmation and consistency. Mercedes still appears to be ahead, but there is a noticeably different atmosphere in Maranello. The car is not perfect, but it is coherent. The team is not unbeatable, but it is more united. The project is not yet complete, but it is finally recognisable.
Ferrari currently holds the position of second force on the grid, and while that alone is not enough, for the first time in a long while it does not feel like a случайность. Instead, it looks like a genuine starting point. If the upcoming upgrades deliver as expected, the long-standing uncertainty among the tifosi could evolve into something far more concrete. For now, however, the direction appears to be the right one—and that, in itself, is already significant.
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