Ferrari does not intend to change its development focus for the 2027 Formula 1 season, and is already working with a strategy that directly connects the SF-26 to the next project. According to Fred Vasseur, 80% of the work currently done can be used in next season’s car.
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This statement marks an important difference compared to the scenario a year ago, when the regulation change for 2026 required a greater break in development. With more stable rules, the Italian team understands that the advances made now can continue to be useful in the next project.
“We are not in the situation from twelve months ago. Today, what we develop can be carried over to next year’s project. We will continue working, but maybe on different things, different aspects. The development we do now, 80% will be carried forward,” said Vasseur.
The Ferrari boss also avoided considering the fight for this year’s championship over, given the advantage of Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli. After the result in Madrid, with Charles Leclerc in fourth, the team was 145 points behind Mercedes in the constructors’ championship, while Antonelli extended his lead at the top among the drivers.
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When asked if the fight was over, Vasseur maintained the same stance as before: “Two or three weeks ago, I said I go race by race. I haven’t changed,” he added.
Despite this, the manager acknowledged an area where his team needs to improve, qualifying performance. Ferrari and its two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, have not started from the front row in any of the four sessions held since the August break, with the SF-26 recording an average deficit of 0.198 seconds to pole.
“That we need to improve, because I think when you look at the race pace, the pace is there,” concluded Vasseur. Ferrari has already used the two power unit upgrades allowed this season and plans a new engine for 2027, with the stated goal of reducing the gap to Mercedes as quickly as possible.
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