Vasseur explains Ferrari’s ’most important’ challenge for rest of 2026

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur delivered a clear message ahead of Formula 1’s summer break: the Scuderia’s biggest challenge for the second half of the 2026 season will not be a dramatic overhaul, but sustaining the relentless development pace that has powered its resurgence.

Ferrari heads into the break in buoyant form. The team has already claimed two victories this year, sits second in the constructors’ championship, and has re-established itself as Mercedes’ closest challenger after a difficult spell earlier in the campaign.

Vasseur believes that turnaround has come from steady progress rather than headline-grabbing upgrade packages.

Ferrari’s season turned after Spain

Reflecting on the first half of the campaign, Vasseur identified a clear shift in momentum after the Spanish Grand Prix.

“The first part of the season was, I would say, probably in two stages,” Vasseur said.

“The first one is until Spain, when Mercedes was flying, and they scored something like 100 points more than us in four or five events.”

“And probably after Spain, that we came back, we scored more points than Mercedes in these four or five races.”

Despite that improvement, Vasseur insists Ferrari cannot afford complacency.

“Where we have to improve is that, if I draw a conclusion based on today [after the Hungarian GP], I would say execution.”

“But execution so far was probably a good one for us from the beginning of the season.”

Development pace now the key battle

Ferrari has chosen a different path from rivals such as McLaren and Red Bull, preferring smaller upgrades introduced almost every race weekend rather than occasional major packages. Vasseur says that philosophy must continue.

“We know that we have to improve on the engine side, and we will do it, even if the inertia on the engine is much higher than the chassis.”

“The most important thing will be to be able to keep the pace into the development.”

He pointed to McLaren’s recent gains as evidence of how powerful large upgrade packages can be.

“McLaren did a huge step forward, because they don't have exactly the same philosophy, because they are bringing a big package, and I think the last one was Miami or Canada.”

“And for sure, each time that they are bringing something, they are making a huge step.”

Read also:

• Vasseur owns up: ‘Too many mistakes’ cost Ferrari podium chance

Ferrari, however, intends to stay the course.

“But we have a different approach, trying to bring parts every race, and we have to keep this momentum because it's still 12 races to go, or… I don't know if it's 11, 12, or 10, but it's a lot.”

“And we have room for improvement on the chassis everywhere, and we have to keep this pace.”

With a second ADUO power-unit upgrade expected later this season, Ferrari believes there is still performance to unlock. Vasseur’s priority is ensuring the team keeps finding it, race after race.

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