Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur explains why the first snapshot of the 2026 Formula 1 season will be far less important than the team’s ability to develop the car quickly and effectively throughout the year.
The 2025 season is now behind us, taking with it the current technical regulations, which will make way for a new set of rules that will redefine the shapes and dimensions of Formula 1 cars.
The transition between the past season and the new one will be barely noticeable, almost like the blink of an eye. Teams and drivers have very little time to rest and prepare for the 2026 season, which officially kicks off at the end of January with four days of shakedown testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló, featuring the new cars.
While details about the new machines are still emerging, Frédéric Vasseur has shared his perspective on how the new season will start. The Ferrari team principal, coming off a challenging 2025 campaign, wants immediate redemption for his squad. However, he stresses that the position at the first Grand Prix of the year in Australia will matter far less than the team’s ability to respond to problems and their speed in developing the car.
These factors—adaptability and rapid development—proved decisive even through 2025, and Ferrari will again need to excel in these areas.
Fred Vasseur explained: “You know perfectly well that our sport is a comparison. I can do a good job, but if someone else does a better job, I end up looking foolish. That means we are focused on our project, developing it, pushing it to the limit, and trying to do our best. The more time you dedicate to the project, the better the result will be.”
He added: “But I don’t know if McLaren, Red Bull, or Alpine are ahead of us. No one knows that, and I think the most important thing is not to waste time trying to figure out if others are ahead or behind. We will only know in Barcelona… No, I’m not sure about Bahrain, but probably by Australia.” – the French manager pointed out.
Fred Vasseur concluded: “Another point is that next year, the first impression of the season will not be important. The results in Australia won’t matter; what will be important is development and the ability to develop quickly. The season certainly won’t end in Australia. It doesn’t matter if we are first or tenth; it will be a long journey to the end, a long road for everyone.”
