Vasseur explains why Ferrari shifted focus to 2026 car back in April

Ferrari’s 2025 season has been defined by tough calls and strategic sacrifices, and team principal Fred Vasseur has pulled back the curtain on why the Scuderia decided to shift its attention to 2026 so early.

With McLaren establishing dominance at the start of the season, the Italian outfit opted to concentrate its aerodynamic development on next year’s car – a bold choice that came with both challenges and opportunities.

Vasseur explained that Ferrari’s early-season missteps and McLaren’s rapid pace made the decision unavoidable.

"We didn't start in the best way, there was the double disqualification in China,” he explained. “This cost us tons of points compared to the direct competitors. And quite early in the season, McLaren was so dominant in the first four or five events that we realised it would be very difficult for 2025.”

A Tough Call

Recognising the scale of the task ahead, Ferrari switched its development focus to its next-generation car as early as April.

"It means that we decided very early into the season, I think it was the end of April, to switch to 2026,” the Frenchman added.

“It was a tough call. Perhaps I also underestimated the call a little bit on the psychological side, because when you have still 18 or 20 races to go and you know that you won't bring any aero development, it's quite tough to manage psychologically."

Even with aero development on hold, Vasseur stressed that the team continued to push on other fronts.

"But overall, we continue to push. We brought some mechanical upgrades, we are trying to do a better job on operation, and this is the DNA of our sport,” he said.

“But we have to accept this. I'm still confident with the call we made, and it's okay - now let's fight for P2 with these conditions."

A team decision with drivers fully involved

Vasseur made it clear that the decision to prioritise 2026 was shared across the team, including with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

"This decision was shared by everybody in the team," he said. "For sure, the drivers were part of this decision, because they are fully committed to the project.

“It's something that we have to share all together, that in this kind of situation you have to act as a team and it's what we did at this stage of the season."

With resources concentrated on the future, Ferrari also continued mechanical development to ensure the 2025 car remained competitive where possible.

"At one stage you have a look at the championship, and it would be very difficult to come back on McLaren with the pace and points [difference]. And you say: 'Okay, with the resources that we have in the wind tunnel, let's be focused on 26.

“On the other end, you can still continue to develop the mechanical side and bring some upgrades on the car except aero, and it's what we did. Honestly, we had a good reaction to tough sessions and weekends, and let's see next year if we did a good job this season."

• Read also: Leclerc lays bare Ferrari’s struggles in Qatar – Hamilton on mute

As Ferrari heads into the final two rounds of 2025, the team sits fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, 13 points behind third-placed Red Bull and a distant second-place target out of reach.

Vasseur’s transparency shows a calculated gamble: sacrifice short-term success for long-term competitiveness under the new 2026 regulations, keeping both drivers and the team aligned on a common goal.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook