Vasseur confident Ferrari will bounce back in 2026
Fred Vasseur believes Ferrari is headed for better days in 2026, with Lewis Hamilton fully settled into the team by then.
“We will start 2026 in better shape because Lewis knows the team,” the Ferrari boss told Sky Sports Italia. “He is much better than he was a year ago. He has a good knowledge of every single software and every single tool of the team. We’ll do a better job.”
It’s a bold claim after a disappointing 2025 season.
Ferrari failed to win a single Grand Prix all year. Their only taste of victory came during the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix – hardly what the passionate Tifosi expect from Formula 1’s most iconic team.
The 57-year-old team principal seems convinced that Hamilton’s difficult first year in red will pay dividends once the new regulations hit in 2026.
Leclerc not so sure
While Vasseur radiates confidence, Charles Leclerc appears more cautious about Ferrari’s 2026 prospects.
When asked if the team is in a stronger position compared to 2022’s regulation changes, Leclerc pointed out that many teams are in the dark about what to expect.
The Monegasque driver might be remembering what happened last time. Ferrari actually started brilliantly after the 2022 rules reset, with Leclerc and then-teammate Carlos Sainz finishing first and second in Bahrain’s season opener.
That early promise gradually faded as Red Bull took control of the championship.
Can Ferrari really turn things around this time? The combination of Hamilton and Leclerc certainly gives them one of the strongest driver lineups on the grid.
But in F1, it’s rarely just about the drivers.
Latest from the Paddock
With post-season testing and debriefs still ongoing after the 2025 finale, there’s plenty happening behind the scenes.
Follow our channels on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated with all the latest developments as teams already shift focus to 2026.
Check out the latest episode of our paddock update to hear more about Ferrari’s plans and how other teams are approaching the major regulation changes ahead.
