At Jeddah, Ferrari celebrates its first podium of the season with Charles Leclerc. Within the palms of the Monegasque driver, the SF-25 reveals a race tempo in keeping with the front-runners, if not even higher, however nonetheless pays the value for the difficulties suffered in qualifying. Fred Vasseur units the course, urging the group to give attention to Saturday efficiency to begin additional forward on Sunday. The Staff Principal additionally seems forward to subsequent yr, commenting on the newest proposed modifications to the 2026 rules.
Deal with qualifying
“I feel that within the final 35-40 laps of the race we have been quicker than Piastri and Verstappen,” displays Fred Vasseur within the normal post-race press convention. “We struggled extra in qualifying and we have to give attention to that. Once 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 feel 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 feel 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 might assist Ferrari shut the hole to the entrance, however the Staff Principal has a distinct view on the work to be finished: “It’s not a matter of upgrades. After 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 begin forward. Once you handle that, the race is completely different and within the first 5-6 laps you achieve 6 or 7 seconds as an alternative of shedding them. For us right this moment it might have been a totally completely different story. The potential is there, however on Saturday we didn’t put all the pieces collectively.”
Steadiness is essential
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 stability. Each Lewis and we’re learning the stability of his automotive, which is inflicting the tires to work in a foul vary. However I imagine the potential is there and we’ll attempt to repair the issue.”
“As quickly because the stability isn’t proper, it’s like a sequence 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 now have such large gaps between the automobiles [of the same team, editor’s note].” For just a few races now, Ferrari has proven essential progress by way of stability, however the efficiency image stays unchanged: “I feel 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 lowering 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 preserve an open thoughts about it, although, as a result of it’s the primary time we now have such a significant regulatory change masking the engine, aerodynamics, and sporting elements. On the assembly on Thursday we’ll should overview all the pieces. Let’s discuss it, I’m open to it, however we have to keep targeted on what’s finest for the way forward for Formulation 1, not on who will achieve 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 results 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 Formulation 1.”
“We’ve by no means had such a significant revolution within the final 25-30 years, altering the engine, chassis and sporting regulation all of sudden. It’s a problem for the groups and for the FIA. For the Federation, it’s additionally exhausting to foretell right this moment what the degrees of aerodynamic load will likely be when growth begins. Let’s discuss it, however I feel the assembly in Bahrain went fairly nicely, 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.
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