Fred Vasseur calls for caution amid Formula 1's latest boom
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Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has expressed that General Motors (GM) entering Formula 1 as a power unit supplier will be a positive development, though he remains mindful of the inherent instability when it comes to maintaining a robust number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the sport.
As F1 gears up for a new cycle of regulations starting in 2026, the sport will feature five engine suppliers, also known as OEMs. However, that number would have been six if Alpine had not opted to relinquish its works team status in favor of becoming a customer of Mercedes.
Fred Vasseur was quick to highlight this change in the landscape when discussing the entry of Cadillac F1 into the grid at the start of the new regulations era. GM is set to produce its own power units starting in 2028, further boosting the OEM count to six, alongside Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull PowerTrains, and Audi, with the latter two entering the sport in 2026.
Ferrari, in the interim, will supply Cadillac with power units for its first two seasons, while also continuing its supply to F1's other American team, Haas. Nevertheless, Fred Vasseur is aware of how rapidly circumstances can shift, emphasizing the need for careful consideration.
By touching on the cyclical nature of F1's history, Frederic Vasseur underscored the importance of cautious optimism when evaluating the potential implications of the expansion of OEMs in the championship. While the growth is promising, he stresses the importance of taking a measured approach to ensure the stability and long-term success of the sport.
Fred Vasseur told the media that the entry of a new engine manufacturer for the future was a positive development. However, the French manager cautioned that everyone needed to keep in mind the history of Formula 1, as the sport tends to follow cyclical patterns.
The Ferrari team principal reflected on past moments in F1's history, recalling times when the sport was thriving, like in 2006/07, but also periods such as 2017/18, when there were times when only two engine manufacturers were confirmed. Fred Vasseur emphasized that while the entry of a new engine supplier was good for F1, the future was always uncertain, as demonstrated by the case of Alpine.
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