Ferrari’s Vasseur Addresses Psychological Impact of Development Shift

Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, acknowledged on Friday that he may have underestimated the psychological impact on his team resulting from an early decision to halt development of their 2025 Formula One car. This setback has left Ferrari, the only team among the top four yet to secure a victory this season, grappling with significant frustration.

The ongoing challenges faced by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, have been evident. Hamilton, who transitioned from Mercedes in January, has not managed to reach the podium in the current season. He described this year as the worst of his career, having qualified in 18th place for the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Friday, following a last-place finish in Las Vegas the previous weekend.

Vasseur explained to reporters the reasoning behind Ferrari’s strategic shift. “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,” he said. The decision to focus on the 2026 car was made by the end of April. “It was a tough call,” he added, reflecting on the implications of this choice on team morale.

He further acknowledged the challenge of maintaining motivation when the team is aware that no aerodynamic developments will be introduced throughout the remaining races. “When you still have 20 races to go… and you know that you won’t bring any aero development, it’s quite tough to manage psychologically,” Vasseur noted.

Despite the shift in focus, Ferrari has introduced some mechanical upgrades and is working to improve operational efficiency. Vasseur remains optimistic about the decision made for the future, emphasizing that the team is entering a new era with changes to both engine regulations and car design. “I’m still confident with the call that we made,” he stated, pointing out that the last time Ferrari won a championship was in 2008, with the team finishing as runners-up last year.

Understanding the drivers’ frustrations, Vasseur affirmed that he shares their sentiments. “We have exactly the same frustration in the garage or on the pit wall,” he remarked. He believes that channeling frustration can lead to positive outcomes, saying, “The most important is to react after the frustration. I think, honestly, the frustration sometimes is good… you can’t imagine, and I would be even more frustrated if the drivers were happy when we have a tough weekend.”

As Ferrari navigates this challenging season, the focus remains on preparing for the future while addressing the immediate psychological effects of their strategic decisions.