Frédéric Vasseur has discussed how the development program for the Ferrari 2026 could evolve following the upcoming Bahrain tests, explaining why changes may be necessary.
The Team Principal of Maranello returned to the topic of how the 2026 regulations will shift the balance on the grid and also influence the approach to car development. The Ferrari 2026 will likely be different from what is seen in the Barcelona tests up to the first race in Australia, and Fred Vasseur fears that the Italian team could find itself at a disadvantage.
Ferrari has pushed every element of the car to its limits. A few days ago, we compiled the most important information on the new Maranello car, which will be officially unveiled on January 23. Loic Serra leads the technical direction, and this will be his first car for Ferrari. After the initial tests in Barcelona, scheduled from January 26 to 30, Fred Vasseur announced that a Spec B will follow. In Catalonia, the focus will be purely on logging mileage to understand the car’s fundamental concepts and to carefully monitor reliability and hybrid engine management. Now, speaking to l’Equipe, the Team Principal reveals how Ferrari’s development program could change in the coming months.
Vasseur: “The first surprises on the designs will come in Bahrain…”
“We all make predictions, but with this new regulation, we must be ready to adjust them. In 2025, if you look at the Bahrain tests and the Abu Dhabi GP standings, there were no surprises. Next year, everything will constantly change. The situation in Barcelona will not be the same as Suzuka. We will need to learn and understand,” Fred Vasseur explained. Ferrari hopes that a more cautious approach will pay off, especially in terms of results. Naturally, no bold proclamations are made, and internal silence helps the team focus, but it is inevitable that expectations for 2026 are high.
The Scuderia must return to fighting for the top positions that truly matter—a scenario that could also quell rumors about Charles Leclerc leaving the team. Fred Vasseur has some concerns: after seeing the work of others, could Ferrari realize they went down the wrong path? The start of the season will be crucial, as everyone is venturing into the unknown. “I’m not talking so much about Barcelona, which will serve to make the new car reliable. In the first Bahrain tests, we’ll start to see the real cars, and perhaps in the second Bahrain test there will be the first surprises in wing designs or other elements. We might say to ourselves: ‘Wow, we hadn’t thought of that.’ At that point, a new development cycle will begin, and we’ll build on these ideas with the goal of developing them for the Bahrain or Miami GPs, which should be two important stops on the calendar for car development.”
As the 2026 season approaches, Fred Vasseur’s candid admission highlights the sheer volatility that comes with a total regulatory reset. By acknowledging that Ferrari must remain agile enough to adopt rival innovations, the Team Principal is setting a realistic tone for a year that will likely be defined by a frantic development race. Whether the “Spec-B” strategy and Loic Serra’s technical leadership can keep the Scuderia ahead of the curve remains the biggest question for the Tifosi as the January launch date draws near.
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