Report: Fred Vasseur Furious as Ferrari's 2026 SF26 Falls Behind Schedule
Rumors from Italy suggest Ferrari's 2026 car is significantly behind schedule, allegedly causing Team Principal Fred Vasseur to lose his temper over potential delays for pre-season testing.
Reports from Italy indicate a crisis at Maranello regarding the development of the SF26. Team Principal Fred Vasseur is said to have been furious upon learning that the 2026 car is significantly behind schedule, raising serious doubts about its readiness for the upcoming pre-season tests in Barcelona.
Why it matters:
Missing the start of testing would be a disaster for a team needing to rebound. With the new car requiring extensive validation, every lap counts. A delayed start puts Ferrari on the back foot immediately against rivals like Red Bull and McLaren, potentially derailing their championship ambitions before the season even begins.
The details:
- Tight Timeline: Ferrari plans to launch the SF26 on January 23, with testing in Barcelona kicking off just three days later.
- Vasseur's Reaction: Italian outlet Top Speed reports Vasseur "lost it" after hearing "disturbing news" about the car's progress, suggesting a severe disconnect between expectations and reality.
- Readiness Concerns: There is genuine concern within Maranello that the car won't be ready to turn a wheel in Spain, a scenario that would force the team to play catch-up immediately.
- Wider Paddock Talk: Rumors suggest Alpine and Red Bull may also face similar crunch times to get their new chassis ready, though no official confirmation exists from any camp.
What's next:
The Barcelona tests will be closed to the public, focusing on systems checks rather than performance. The true pecking order likely won't emerge until the subsequent tests in Bahrain. However, with the season opener in Melbourne set for March 6, Ferrari has little margin for error to get their program back on track.