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| Written by Keith Collantine
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has confirmed the team made an early call to sacrifice this year and prioritise the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The team which finished second in the constructors’ championship last year made a poor start to its 2025 campaign. With sweeping new regulations coming next year, Vasseur said they chose to divert resources to preparing for next season.
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“We didn’t start in the best way with the double disqualification in China,” he explained. “This cost us tons of points compared to our direct competitors.
“Quite early in the season, McLaren was so dominating in the first four or five events that we realised it would be very difficult for 2025. It meant that we decided very early in the season – I think it was the end of April – to switch to ’26.”
Vasseur admitted he didn’t fully account for how deeply the decision would affect the team. “It was a tough call,” he said. “Perhaps I also underestimated a little bit the call on the psychological side because when you still have 20 or 18 races to go, and you know that you won’t bring any aero development, it’s quite tough to manage psychologically.
“But overall, we continued to push. We brought some mechanical upgrades and we are trying to do a better job operationally, and this is the DNA of our sport. We have to accept this.
“It was a call, and I’m still confident with the call that we made. Now let’s fight for P2 with these conditions.”
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He said the decision had full support within the team, including from drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
“This decision was shared by everybody in the team,” he said. “At one stage, you look at the championship and say, okay, it will be very difficult to come back on McLaren with the delta on pace, the delta in points. So you say okay, let’s focus the resources we have in the wind tunnel on 2026.
“On the other hand, we can still continue to develop the mechanical side and bring some upgrades on the car, except aero. And that’s what we did – and it was a good exercise, honestly.
“For sure, the drivers were part of this decision. They are fully committed to the project. It’s something we have to share altogether. In this kind of situation, you have to act as a team, and that’s what we did in that stage of the season.”
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Riccard
29th November 2025, 8:25
Halting development before new regs is a natural thing to do. They have a chance here to get a headstart on the teams who’ve been distracted with the championship.
If they use that headstart well and come out with a clear advantage they can build on, all will be forgiven. But if they line up for the first race and (say) McLaren and Mercedes are ahead of them… not so much.
He must also be worried about the driver situation. Part of why they look bad is that, while Leclerc often comes in 3rd-5th, Hamilton often doesn’t reach Q3. No matter how good next year’s car is, it probably won’t be maximised in Hamilton’s hands.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
29th November 2025, 10:28
What I don’t understand is why Hamilton’s and to some extent the team’s performances, have fallen off a cliff. Not so long ago Hamilton had a series of fairly acceptable performance’s 6th, 8th, 8th, 4th, 8th. But since Brazil it’s like he’s driving a different car entirely. Leclerc has begun to struggle more too. What happened? An upgrade that went wrong?
Peter
29th November 2025, 10:46
Hamilton has never really been comfortable with this these ground effect cars, perhaps the harder is trying as the Ferrari are falling further behind, is having a negative effect
David BR (@david-br)
29th November 2025, 11:20
I don’t think he’s really trying anymore. Which is probably the right decision given the team basically left their two drivers stranded in a car they saw as a no-hoper for 4/5ths of the season.
Genghis Blond
29th November 2025, 11:44
Huh? Most teams only kept developing their cars until early June at latest. Not trying only hurts himself. Lewis just easily gets dispirited and his confidence can spiral if he doesn’t get a big result to boost his spirits back up.
David BR (@david-br)
29th November 2025, 13:09
Disagree, I think relentless effort when the team gave up on the car months ago ends up backfiring on the drivers as we saw from Elkin’s remarks trying to blame them. I think that was the tipping point in Hamilton’s attitude and why he now prefers everyone to know the car is the issue without actually saying so outright.
David BR (@david-br)
29th November 2025, 11:18
Perhaps I also underestimated a little bit the call on the psychological side because when you still have 20 or 18 races to go, and you know that you won’t bring any aero development, it’s quite tough to manage psychologically.
Well I guess Lewis knows where to send the therapist bill.
tielemst
29th November 2025, 11:32
You’re going to look like a fool next year then if you don’t run away with it. That is, if you imply you’re doing much more for next year than other teams. If not, you look like a fool now.
Intelligent Artifact
29th November 2025, 11:34
If the drivers were on board, then I’m sure they’ll look forward to next year.
David BR (@david-br)
29th November 2025, 11:36
Well that’s just the point, surely. They don’t seem to be looking forward much to next year. Hamilton openly said as much! Leclerc? More difficult to tell.
Genghis Blond
29th November 2025, 11:46
No drivers are looking forward to next year. They’ve almost universally said next year’s cars are going to suck.
Jere (@jerejj)
29th November 2025, 12:53
Nothing abnormal as teams generally start working on the following year’s machinery in April or May at the very latest anyway.
However, the full switch still occurred at a later point.
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