Test F1 | Vasseur praises Ferrari: positive signals from Bahrain
Ferrari appears to have started the season on a strong note, and Frederic Vasseur’s comments after the morning of the third day of Bahrain testing confirm the optimism. The SF26 is proving competitive with its rivals, logging extensive mileage and showing promising race pace, particularly during Charles Leclerc’s runs yesterday. Today, Lewis Hamilton is following a similar program, and a race simulation is expected shortly.
After nearly 450 laps completed in Barcelona, the SF26 arrived in Bahrain equipped with the same power unit used at Montmeló. Unlike several competitors who experienced minor and major issues, Ferrari’s program has run smoothly and without interruptions. The French manager confirmed this to Sky Sport Italia: “So far, everything has gone well in terms of mileage, and we haven’t had any major problems.”
Focus on preparation and data collection
Expanding on this, Ferrari’s Team Principal added: “These days have been important for preparation and gathering data.” All this information will be carefully analyzed before the second Bahrain test session: “We will have a couple of days to review everything to improve the car and understand its procedures, including those related to the engine. I believe we are on the right path.”
When asked about performance, Fred Vasseur emphasized it is too early to draw conclusions: “That will be another topic. Right now, the focus was on reliability, and everything went well.” The Frenchman acknowledged that, at this stage, the most crucial aspect is understanding and developing the car: “The essential thing is that we have many areas to develop and understand. Being able to carry out these tasks without any issues is the best outcome. Once we get to Melbourne, we can fully focus on performance.”
These statements reflect a satisfied – at least on the surface – Frederic Vasseur. Ferrari is executing its program effectively, and the early results already show positive signs for the team as they continue their preparations for the upcoming season.
Frederic Vasseur’s calm and methodical approach at the helm of Ferrari seems to be paying dividends as the SF-26 completes its initial testing phase with flying colors. By prioritizing structural reliability and data accumulation over headline-grabbing lap times, the Scuderia is building the kind of stable foundation that could prove decisive when the 2026 season officially gets underway in Australia.
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