Although title opportunities have diminished, Ferrari’s director, Fred Vasseur, has confirmed that the team will continue developing the SF-26 Formula 1 car. This decision comes at a time when driver Lewis Hamilton is 101 points behind the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli.
After the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where Hamilton had to retire due to brake issues, Ferrari’s situation is complicated. Charles Leclerc, for his part, achieved a fourth place at Madring, leaving the team 145 points behind Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.
In a context of economic restrictions and aerodynamic testing, Vasseur emphasized the importance of properly managing the resources allocated for car development. Despite the work that some teams are already undertaking for their 2027 machinery, Ferrari has no intention of diverting its attention from the SF-26 at this time.
“We are not in the same situation we were 12 months ago,” Vasseur commented, referring to the updated Formula 1 regulations for 2026. “What you develop now can be retained for next year’s project, so we will keep working, even if in different aspects.”
When asked about Ferrari’s title chances, Vasseur avoided answering directly, insisting that the team takes a race-by-race approach.
One of the key aspects for Ferrari now is to improve in qualifying. Both Hamilton and Leclerc have failed to qualify in the front row in any of the last four sessions. The team has recorded an average qualifying time that places them fifth and 0.198 seconds behind the best time.
“We need to improve in this area because the race pace is competitive,” Vasseur added. Acknowledging that their starting position is affecting the team’s options is essential for effectively competing in upcoming races.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
