Ferrari switched focus to F1 2026 in April due to McLaren's dominance

Fred Vasseur says Ferrari underestimated the psychological impact of shifting focus to the 2026 Formula 1 season so early

Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur reveals the squad shifted its focus to 2026 after seeing the advantage McLaren had at the start of this season.

McLaren came out of the gates as F1's dominant team in 2025, building a lead in the constructors' standings that saw it retain its world title by Singapore.

With crucial decisions to be made in the development of the all-new cars for 2026, McLaren's early dominance has had an impact on how its rivals approached their season.

Ferrari team principal Vasseur has revealed the Scuderia fully switched aerodynamic development to 2026 as early as April after just a couple of grands prix, and he now admits he may have underestimated the psychological impact of not bringing any significant upgrades for such a long spell of the season.

"We didn't start in the best way, there was the double disqualification in China. This cost us tons of points compared to the direct competitors. And quite early in the season, McLaren was so dominant in the first four or five events that we realised it would be very difficult for 2025," Vasseur explained.

"It means that we decided very early into the season, I think it was the end of April, to switch to 2026. It was a tough call. Perhaps I also underestimated the call a little bit on the psychological side, because when you have still 18 or 20 races to go and you know that you won't bring any aero development, it's quite tough to manage psychologically.

"But overall, we continue to push. We brought some mechanical upgrades, we are trying to do a better job on operation, and this is the DNA of our sport. But we have to accept this. I'm still confident with the call we made, and it's okay - now let's fight for P2 with these conditions."

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Dom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images

Ferrari's decision has contributed to what will likely be a winless season unless it can somehow defeat the McLarens and Max Verstappen in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and it has also hurt Lewis Hamilton's adaptation to the Maranello-based squad as he is still chasing a maiden Ferrari podium.

But Vasseur says both of his drivers were part of the decision-making process to sacrifice 2025, with the 2026 regulations reset seen as the best chance for Charles Leclerc and Hamilton to consistently fight at the front of the field.

"This decision was shared by everybody in the team," the Frenchman added. "For sure, the drivers were part of this decision, because they are fully committed to the project. It's something that we have to share all together, that in this kind of situation you have to act as a team and it's what we did at this stage of the season.

"At one stage you have a look at the championship, and it would be very difficult to come back on McLaren with the pace and points [difference]. And you say: 'Okay, with the resources that we have in the wind tunnel, let's be focused on 26.

"On the other end, you can still continue to develop the mechanical side and bring some upgrades on the car except aero, and it's what we did. Honestly, we had a good reaction to tough sessions and weekends, and let's see next year if we did a good job this season."

Ferrari heads into the final two rounds fourth in the constructors' championship, 13 points adrift of third-placed Red Bull. Mercedes is now all but out of reach after it extended its gap to 53 points in Las Vegas.