Ferrari will not focus on F1 rivals until major 2026 mark

17:02, 27 Dec

byKada Sarkozi

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur believes the first clear picture of the 2026 competitive order can be drawn around the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

"I can do a good job, if someone did a better job I look stupid."

- Frederic Vasseur

Ferrari had a difficult season in 2025. The Italian team failed to win a single Grand Prix, and Lewis Hamilton could not secure a Grand Prix podium for the first time in his career despite winning the Sprint at the Chinese GP.

Next season, a regulation changecan completely reshape the competitive order. Looking ahead, the French team boss said that a conclusion can only be drawn once the Barcelona-Catalunya GP is completed.

When asked about how confident he is heading into next year, Vasseur explained to GPblog in Abu Dhabi: "This I have no clue. You know perfectly that the sport is a comparison. I can do a good job, [but] if someone did a better job I look stupid.

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur - Photo: Race Pictures

"That means we are focused on our project, we are developing our project, we are pushing it a little bit, and we are trying to do the best. And for sure, the more time you are spending on the project, the better you will be.

"But I don't know if McLaren, Red Bull or Alpine, is in front of us. Nobody knows this, and I think the most important is not to spend time trying to understand if the others are in front or behind. We’ll know this in Barcelona. [By] Bahrain, I'm not sure," he said.

The Frenchman continued: "Another point is that next year, it won't be about the first picture of the season. It won't be all about the classification of Australia. It will be a lot about development and capacity of quick development.

"I mean, the season won't be over in Australia for sure, no matter if you are P1 or P10, but it will be a long way until the end, and it will be a long way for everybody."

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