Fred Vasseur signals early focus on 2026 Ferrari F1 car
01/28/2025 07:34 AM
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has suggested that the Scuderia is determined to kick off the next Formula 1 season with a strong and competitive car, enabling the team to shift its focus early toward the 2026 project to fully adapt to the sport’s upcoming technical revolution.
The 2024 season proved to be a rollercoaster for Ferrari. Despite showing promising form in the initial stages, the team struggled to keep pace with Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren in the development race. The situation worsened with a flawed floor upgrade introduced at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain, which unexpectedly reintroduced porpoising issues, hampering the car’s performance.
However, Ferrari managed a significant turnaround when it introduced a series of major upgrades to the SF-24 at Monza. These improvements transformed the Scuderia into a serious contender for top positions, with strong performances sustaining the team's title hopes until the final race. The improvements were so impactful that Ferrari remained in the championship hunt right up to the chequered flag at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
While McLaren ultimately secured the Constructors' Championship at Yas Marina, Ferrari still emerged from the season with renewed confidence, marking a major step forward after a few challenging years.
In an interview with *La Stampa*, team principal Frederic Vasseur expressed Ferrari's ambition to make the most of its 2025 car, referred to internally as the ‘677 project,’ during the early phase of the season. This approach would allow the team to allocate resources and attention toward developing the all-new 2026 car, ensuring it is fully prepared for the drastic regulatory changes on the horizon.
According to La Stampa, the French manager acknowledged that while the situation appeared promising on paper, success in Formula 1 is always relative, as performing well does not automatically equate to being ahead of competitors. He noted that Ferrari faces formidable rivals, including Red Bull and McLaren.
The manager also emphasized that the team reviews data from the previous evening every morning, aiming to maximize performance from the outset. This approach, he explained, is necessary to allow an early shift in focus toward the 2026 season and its new regulations.
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