At Jeddah, Ferrari celebrates its first podium of the season with Charles Leclerc. Within the palms 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 concentrate on Saturday efficiency to begin additional forward on Sunday. The Crew Principal additionally seems to be forward to subsequent yr, commenting on the most recent proposed adjustments to the 2026 rules.
Give attention to qualifying
“I feel that within the final 35-40 laps of the race we had been sooner than Piastri and Verstappen,” displays Fred Vasseur within the normal post-race press convention. “We struggled extra in qualifying and we have to concentrate on 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 feel 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 feel the potential is there, we simply have to do a greater job.”
Instantly after the race, Charles Leclerc expressed hope that the upcoming improvements in Maranello might assist Ferrari shut the hole to the entrance, however the Crew Principal has a distinct view on the work to be completed: “It’s not a matter of upgrades. Once we are sooner 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 acquire 6 or 7 seconds as an alternative of shedding them. For us at this time it might have been a totally 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 tough weekend: “I’ll help him and beginning tomorrow morning we’ll attempt to discover some options. I’m not fearful. In case 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 certainly 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 nasty vary. However I imagine the potential is there and we’ll attempt to repair the issue.”
“As quickly because the stability isn’t proper, it’s like a series response. It’s not that you simply 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’ve such massive gaps between the automobiles [of the same team, editor’s note].” For just a few races now, Ferrari has proven essential progress by way of stability, however the efficiency image stays unchanged: “I feel McLaren continues to be a step forward. Even after they make errors, they nonetheless handle to remain within the prime 3. Behind them, although, it’s a relentless mixture of ups and downs.”
Evolving rules
In the meantime, discussions proceed behind the scenes on the 2026 rules. The most recent thought 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 preserve an open thoughts about it, although, as a result of it’s the primary time we’ve 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 centered on what’s finest for the way forward for Method 1, not on who will acquire a small benefit from 250 or 265 kW.”
“In 5 years we’ve fully modified the engine regulation, bringing electrical energy to 50%. We underestimated the implications on weight and automotive efficiency, so we needed to modify the aerodynamics, considering 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 Method 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 arduous to foretell at this time what the degrees of aerodynamic load will probably be when growth begins. Let’s speak about it, however I feel the assembly in Bahrain went fairly effectively, 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
