At Jeddah, Ferrari celebrates its first podium of the season with Charles Leclerc. Within the fingers of the Monegasque driver, the SF-25 exhibits a race tempo according to 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 deal with Saturday efficiency to start out additional forward on Sunday. The Staff Principal additionally appears to be like forward to subsequent yr, commenting on the most recent proposed modifications to the 2026 rules.
Concentrate on qualifying
“I feel that within the final 35-40 laps of the race we had been quicker than Piastri and Verstappen,” displays Fred Vasseur within the common post-race press convention. “We struggled extra in qualifying and we have to deal with that. While 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 will 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 must 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 Staff Principal has a distinct view on the work to be performed: “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. While 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 shedding them. For us as we speak it might have been a very totally different story. The potential is there, however on Saturday we didn’t put all the pieces collectively.”
Steadiness is vital
The French supervisor additionally renews his assist for Lewis Hamilton, coming off one other troublesome weekend: “I’ll assist him and beginning tomorrow morning we’ll attempt to discover some options. I’m not fearful. 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 unquestionably there.” The Frenchman is obvious about what to investigate: “We have to work on the steadiness. Each Lewis and we’re learning 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 sequence response. It’s not that you just 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’ve such large gaps between the vehicles [of the same team, editor’s note].” For a number of races now, Ferrari has proven vital progress by way of steadiness, however the efficiency image stays unchanged: “I feel McLaren remains to be a step forward. Even once they make errors, they nonetheless handle to remain within the high 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 thought 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 maintain an open thoughts about it, although, as a result of it’s the primary time we’ve such a significant regulatory change masking the engine, aerodynamics, and sporting points. On the assembly on Thursday we’ll must overview all the pieces. Let’s speak about it, I’m open to it, however we have to keep targeted on what’s greatest for the way forward for Components 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 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 might be the worst state of affairs for Components 1.”
“We’ve by no means had such a significant revolution within the final 25-30 years, altering the engine, chassis and sporting regulation abruptly. It’s a problem for the groups and for the FIA. For the Federation, it’s additionally exhausting to foretell as we speak what the degrees of aerodynamic load can be when growth begins. Let’s speak about it, however I feel 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 will discover a good compromise,” Fred Vasseur concludes after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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