Vasseur sends clear signal on Ferrari's 2027 plans: '80% of our current work carries over'

After a frustrating Spanish Grand Prix at Madring, where Lewis Hamilton retired with brake issues and now sits 101 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, Vasseur made clear that the situation differs fundamentally from a year ago. The Frenchman pointed to F1's regulatory overhaul for 2026 as the reason Ferrari faced a clean break last time around, arguing that stable regulations now allow SF-26 upgrades to feed directly into the 2027 project.

Charles Leclerc finished just fourth at Madring, meaning Ferrari is 145 points down on Mercedes in the constructors' championship. Antonelli has won eight races this season and continues to pull away at the top of the standings. When asked whether it was now 'game over' against Antonelli and Mercedes, Vasseur refused to answer directly.

Despite the defiant tone, Ferrari's Saturday form presents a clear challenge. Hamilton and Leclerc have both failed to qualify on the front row in any of the four sessions since the summer break. Their average grid position is fifth, with the SF-26's deficit to pole at 0.198 seconds. Vasseur conceded the team's one-lap pace needs attention. "This we need to improve, because I think when you have a look on the pace, during the race the pace is there," he said.

Ferrari has already introduced the two ADUO engine upgrades it has been allowed this season. Vasseur has confirmed that a new engine is planned for 2027, saying the target is to close the gap to Mercedes as soon as possible. With nine rounds remaining, his message from Madring was unmistakable: Ferrari intends to fight on both fronts at once.