Fred Vasseur: “If McLaren’s mini DRS had been banned earlier in 2024, we might have won the title”. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur reflects on the 2024 championship.

A solid foundation

The Ferrari team displayed at the Australian Grand Prix provides a reason for cautious optimism for the Scuderia’s fans, who have been waiting for a Drivers’ or Constructors’ World Championship since 2008, the year Maranello last triumphed among constructors. In a revealing interview with French sports daily L’Equipe, conducted during the Bahrain test sessions and published a few days ago, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur highlighted the work the team has carried out over the past seasons.

Regret over 2024

“It seems everyone has forgotten how close we came to the Constructors’ Championship in 2024,” Fred Vasseur stressed, continuing: “Let me remind you, everything was decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi. And if the mini DRS had been banned earlier, perhaps we would have won the championship.”

The French manager’s comment refers to the controversy surrounding McLaren’s rear wing two years ago, which was subsequently banned mid-season by the FIA. This element proved decisive in the final standings, making the 2024 season a near-miss for Ferrari.

Working closely with the FIA on the SF-26

Regarding the development of the new SF-26, Fred Vasseur confirmed that Ferrari has acted in full collaboration with the FIA: “With a new set of regulations, there are many grey areas that can be interpreted differently, so it is important to clarify with the FIA. It is part of our job to seek clarification to be certain we are respecting the rules. Our approach has been constructive, positive, and correct. We have always raised our hand to alert: ‘Attention, we are doing this.’ My role is to push Ferrari personnel to innovate in a way that is consistent and constructive with the FIA.”

Frederic Vasseur’s comments once again show how fine the margins are in Formula 1, where a few races of technical leeway can define a championship legacy. With Ferrari currently looking like a major threat in the 2026 standings, the team principal’s focus on “constructive innovation” suggests Maranello is determined to leave no room for mid-season controversies this time around.