Ferrari shut down talk of early 2026 switch: ‘We’re giving 200%’

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has insisted that the Scuderia is far from abandoning the development its SF-25 despite the Italian outfit’s subdued results since the start of its 2025 F1 campaign.

While fans and pundits speculate about a possible early shift in focus toward the radical regulation changes of 2026, Vasseur made clear that Ferrari still sees potential in this year's car – and isn’t backing off the gas pedal yet.

The Frenchman’s remarks come amid a modest resurgence in form, with Charles Leclerc securing consecutive podiums in Monaco and Spain, helping Ferrari reclaim second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

But while McLaren continues to pull ahead in pace and points, Vasseur believes the right upgrades could turn things around.

Speaking to La Stampa after the Spanish Grand Prix, Vasseur laid out a roadmap for progress, revealing the team’s plans and the intriguing complexities of the SF-25.

The SF-25’s Qualifying Conundrum

Ferrari’s 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster, with the SF-25 proving to be a car of contradictions – competitive on race day but frustratingly elusive in qualifying. And that disparity has cost the Scuderia dearly in F1’s fiercely competitive field.

“We are more or less there on pace,” Vasseur explained. “The characteristic of this car is that it suffers much more in qualifying than in the race. Like last year, but more markedly.

“In Jeddah the pole was three tenths away, then in the race we were the fastest. In Imola on Saturday we were nowhere (a double elimination in Q2) and the next day we came back.

“With four teams at the top, if you want to win you can't afford to start on the third or fourth row.”

Labeling the SF-25 as “sensitive,” Vasseur elaborated on its quirks: “I don’t know if it’s difficult, I know we struggle to put it in the right window to make the tyres work best.

“Qualifying in Imola and Miami was emblematic, where we were quickest on used tyres, something never seen before.”

This peculiar trait – excelling on worn tyres but struggling on fresh ones – has baffled engineers, adding a layer of intrigue to Ferrari’s technical puzzle. The team’s challenge is not just speed but consistency, a conundrum Vasseur is determined to solve.

No Early Switch to 2026 Car

Despite increasing chatter about the 2026 overhaul – featuring brand-new power units and aero regulations – Vasseur remains focused on delivering improvements in 2025.

Ferrari is expected to introduce a new floor and rear suspension between the Canadian and British Grands Prix, with hopes of addressing the SF-25’s finicky performance traits.

“I can say that we have some developments coming, it is not yet the time to think only about 2026 even if we are all close to having to do so.

“I cannot make any promises to the fans other than that we will give 200%, pushing like crazy, even if the others are not sleeping. But the approach is good.”

While not offering specific details about the upcoming upgrades – stating only that some will be visible while others will be hiding under the hood, Vasseur made it clear that Ferrari is still in the fight – at least for now.

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Notably, the team has not yet confirmed whether these updates will bring the necessary consistency to challenge McLaren and Red Bull. But abandoning the SF-25 at this stage, Vasseur believes, would be premature.

That said, Vasseur is under no illusions about the magnitude of what awaits in 2026. The new technical regulations will mark one of the biggest resets in F1 history.

“We’re starting from scratch, it’s exciting for everyone,” he said. “It’s going to be a completely new challenge, I don’t remember anything like it in F1. And it’s impossible to have references compared to others.”

While the future is full of unknowns, Ferrari’s present remains a blend of cautious optimism and relentless effort. Vasseur’s message is clear: the SF-25 still has a role to play – and Ferrari’s fight is far from over.

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