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 step with the front-runners, if not even higher, however nonetheless pays the worth for the difficulties suffered in qualifying. Fred Vasseur units the course, urging the workforce to give attention to Saturday efficiency to start out additional forward on Sunday. The Crew Principal additionally seems to be forward to subsequent yr, commenting on the newest proposed adjustments to the 2026 rules.
Deal with 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 regular post-race press convention. “We struggled extra in qualifying and we have to give attention to that. Whenever 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 take 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 excellent and I believe 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 may assist Ferrari shut the hole to the entrance, however the Crew Principal has a special view on the work to be finished: “It’s not a matter of upgrades. Once 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 start out forward. Whenever 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 dropping them. For us in the present day it could 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 apprehensive. In case you take 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 obvious about what to investigate: “We have to work on the steadiness. Each Lewis and we’re finding out the steadiness of his automotive, which is inflicting the tires to work in a nasty vary. However I consider the potential is there and we’ll attempt to repair the issue.”
“As quickly because the steadiness 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 have now such large gaps between the vehicles [of the same team, editor’s note].” For just a few races now, Ferrari has proven essential progress when it comes to steadiness, however the efficiency image stays unchanged: “I believe 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 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 maintain an open thoughts about it, although, as a result of it’s the primary time we have now such a significant regulatory change protecting the engine, aerodynamics, and sporting points. On the assembly on Thursday we’ll need to overview all the things. Let’s discuss it, I’m open to it, however we have to keep centered on what’s finest for the way forward for System 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 will be the worst situation for System 1.”
“We’ve by no means had such a significant revolution within the final 25-30 years, altering the engine, chassis and sporting regulation . It’s a problem for the groups and for the FIA. For the Federation, it’s additionally exhausting to foretell in the present day what the degrees of aerodynamic load shall be when improvement begins. Let’s discuss it, however I believe 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
