Ferrari's season has been full of ups and downs, and team boss Fred Vasseur points out what the team needs to focus on to fight for the championship. Despite some strong moments, the Italian team is looking for consistent performance and faster progress.
Ferrari’s Challenges and Focus Areas
After a good finish in 2024, Ferrari was expected to be a serious contender for this year's title. However, their start has not been smooth. Vasseur admitted that Ferrari made some mistakes early in the season, which put them behind rivals like Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren. At this point, they are still trying to catch up.
Vasseur explained that Ferrari initially aimed to compete for the world championship. But with recent races, it became clear that they need to do better. For example, they had some setbacks like disqualifications and missed chances to earn more points. He said Ferrari was about 60 points behind leaders at the start of the season, but they are improving step-by-step.
He added that Ferrari's goal is now to do a better job every day. Last year, the team experienced problems like DNFs (Did Not Finish), which cost vital points. This year, they are working hard to avoid those errors. Although they are still behind McLaren, Ferrari is making progress, and their target remains to finish first.
Team Effort and Improving Operations
Ferrari is not just working on speed; they are improving how they operate during races. Their pit stops have been excellent, and they are now seen as one of the best in this area. Vasseur praised the team’s strategy, reliability, and pit stop performance, noting that they have made big improvements compared to previous seasons.
However, he emphasized that having fast pit stops is not enough. Success in Formula 1 depends on the overall performance, including speed, strategy, and avoiding mistakes. Vasseur said that the team’s ultimate goal is to be better than their competitors, not just good in some areas.
He also pointed out the importance of staying focused. Even small distractions can hurt performance, especially when competing with teams like McLaren, which worked quietly and steadily to improve over several seasons. Vasseur respects all other teams and understands that everyone is working very hard.
Looking ahead to 2026, Ferrari plans to keep pushing for better results. They recognize that progress takes time and consistent effort. Vasseur believes that if they stay focused and keep improving faster than their rivals, they can be back at the top soon. For now, Ferrari's main focus is on closing the gap and maximizing every opportunity on race day.
In summary, Ferrari is aware of where they need to improve, mainly in race consistency and avoiding errors. With strong operations and a clear plan, they aim to challenge for the championship again. The coming races will be crucial to see if Ferrari can turn their progress into real success and return to their winning ways.
