The Ferrari team principal commented on the significant lead demonstrated by Mercedes, which was evident throughout the China GP 2026. “We know exactly where…,” Fred Vasseur said, highlighting the areas Ferrari must target to close the gap.
Ferrari once again tried to challenge Mercedes despite the engine deficit. The Scuderia loses too much on the straights and relies heavily on ADUO to recover the difference. The SF-26 is very strong, and both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton gave their maximum effort. Fred Vasseur knows exactly which aspects the team must work on to regain ground and fight meter by meter with the German team. Here are the team principal’s words to Sky Sport F1.
Vasseur: “I don’t think the new directive…”
“Looking at the weekend as a whole, the Brackley cars clearly showed a pace advantage over ours. We’re talking about a gap of roughly two to four tenths per lap. We can defend ourselves and survive by relying on overtake mode, but as soon as they run in clean air ahead, the difference becomes obvious. They have a clear superiority at the end of the straights. We know exactly where to intervene to close the gap. Mercedes is the target. We know we need to improve on the ICE side, but we shouldn’t focus too much only on that.”
Mercedes exploits a compression ratio above 16:1 to achieve more power and also store more energy. This gives them a clear advantage over the Ferrari.
In Maranello, engineers are working to replicate this approach at least until the hot checks at 130 degrees, coming from June 1. For Fred Vasseur, however, that step will not be a turning point for the season. “I don’t believe the new technical directive will drastically change the landscape, but we are looking forward to the next aerodynamic developments to unlock further engine potential with ADUO. It requires a collective effort on every detail, from aerodynamics to chassis, to tire management. We’re still four to five tenths behind, and that’s a lot. The PU is a bit trickier because it’s frozen, but we’re doing our best. There’s no magic wand in this sport for five-tenth gains from the power unit. I think it’s better to find five different areas to improve by one tenth each. We’re keeping a pace ahead of McLaren and Red Bull, and the goal is to maintain this positive momentum.”
Ferrari remains the second-strongest team, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both fast in qualifying and race pace. The SF-26 shows great qualities, but the engine gap remains the biggest weakness. Improvement work involves every part of the car. After a year, Lewis Hamilton also seems much more comfortable with the team. The seven-time world champion has repeatedly said he has also put his DNA into this car. Fred Vasseur is confident: “Lewis’ approach is completely different from his first year with us. He’s now at the heart of the project from day zero, spending hours in the simulator, and has a solid relationship with every technician on the team. This is not Hamilton’s car or Leclerc’s car; it’s the Ferrari. We’re on the right path.” – the French manager concluded.
Fred Vasseur’s assessment highlights a team that is no longer searching for answers but is now focused on the clinical execution of solutions. The 0.5-second deficit mentioned is a significant margin in modern Formula 1, yet the atmosphere at Maranello seems one of determined persistence rather than panic. By diversifying their development—aiming for incremental gains across the chassis and aero to complement the PU work—Ferrari is building a more balanced contender. Formula 1 moves toward the next round in Japan and the integration of Lewis Hamilton’s experience with Charles Leclerc’s raw speed remains Ferrari’s most potent weapon in keeping the pressure on Mercedes while they wait for their technical upgrades to bite.
Leave a Reply