At Jeddah, Ferrari celebrates its first podium of the season with Charles Leclerc. Within the arms of the Monegasque driver, the SF-25 exhibits a race tempo in keeping with the front-runners, if not even higher, however nonetheless pays the value for the difficulties suffered in qualifying. Fred Vasseur units the course, urging the staff to give attention to Saturday efficiency to begin additional forward on Sunday. The Staff Principal additionally appears to be like forward to subsequent 12 months, commenting on the most recent proposed adjustments to the 2026 rules.
Concentrate on qualifying
“I believe that within the final 35-40 laps of the race we have been quicker than Piastri and Verstappen,” displays Fred Vasseur within the traditional post-race press convention. “We struggled extra in qualifying and we have to give attention to that. If you begin fourth you’re in soiled air, and within the first 5-6 laps you already lose a few seconds. We have to take note of being extra constant all through the weekend. I believe we are able to have a look at this weekend positively, as a result of in comparison with the earlier one we made a step ahead in race tempo. The rhythm was superb and I believe the potential is there, we simply must do a greater job.”
Instantly after the race, Charles Leclerc expressed hope that the upcoming improvements in Maranello may assist Ferrari shut the hole to the entrance, however the Staff Principal has a unique view on the work to be completed: “It’s not a matter of upgrades. After we are quicker than Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri for 40 laps however are 4 tenths behind in qualifying, it means we have to work on ourselves and do a greater job to begin forward. If you handle that, the race is totally different and within the first 5-6 laps you achieve 6 or 7 seconds as an alternative of shedding them. For us at present it will have been a very totally different story. The potential is there, however on Saturday we didn’t put all the things collectively.”
Stability is vital
The French supervisor additionally renews his help for Lewis Hamilton, coming off one other troublesome weekend: “I’ll help him and beginning tomorrow morning we’ll attempt to discover some options. I’m not anxious. Should you have a look at what he did in China, within the Bahrain race final week or within the first a part of the second stint right here, the potential is unquestionably there.” The Frenchman is evident about what to investigate: “We have to work on the stability. Each Lewis and we’re learning the stability of his automotive, which is inflicting the tires to work in a foul vary. However I consider the potential is there and we’ll attempt to repair the issue.”
“As quickly because the stability isn’t proper, it’s like a sequence response. It’s not that you just lose a tenth in a nook since you made a mistake, however you lose one after which one other within the subsequent one. That’s why we now have such large gaps between the vehicles [of the same team, editor’s note].” For a couple of races now, Ferrari has proven essential progress when it comes to stability, however the efficiency image stays unchanged: “I believe McLaren continues to be a step forward. Even once they make errors, they nonetheless handle to remain within the high 3. Behind them, although, it’s a continuing mixture of ups and downs.”
Evolving rules
In the meantime, discussions proceed behind the scenes on the 2026 rules. The newest concept proposes decreasing the electrical energy output in races from 350 to 200 kW. “The proposal got here in yesterday and I haven’t had time but to speak about it with the engine division,” feedback Fred Vasseur. “We have to hold an open thoughts about it, although, as a result of it’s the primary time we now have such a serious regulatory change overlaying the engine, aerodynamics, and sporting points. On the assembly on Thursday we’ll should evaluate all the things. Let’s speak about it, I’m open to it, however we have to keep targeted on what’s finest for the way forward for Formulation 1, not on who will achieve a small benefit from 250 or 265 kW.”
“In 5 years we’ve utterly modified the engine regulation, bringing electrical energy to 50%. We underestimated the results on weight and automotive efficiency, so we needed to modify the aerodynamics, pondering for instance about low-drag modes. However then there are the sporting rules, which dictate how the engine energy is delivered. We have to keep open and keep away from arguments – that may be the worst situation for Formulation 1.”
“We’ve by no means had such a serious revolution within the final 25-30 years, altering the engine, chassis and sporting regulation abruptly. It’s a problem for the groups and for the FIA. For the Federation, it’s additionally exhausting to foretell at present what the degrees of aerodynamic load will likely be when improvement begins. Let’s speak about it, however I believe the assembly in Bahrain went fairly properly, as a result of we had an open dialogue. The issue is that we’re in a contest and that doesn’t assist the system. I hope we are able to discover a good compromise,” Fred Vasseur concludes after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
