Frederic Vasseur says Ferrari nonetheless have “tonnes of things to improve” to be able to construct on their aggressive opening to F1’s new period and that he was “very pleased” with Lewis Hamilton’s begin to his second season on the group.
Ferrari ran championship favourites Mercedes closest throughout final weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton ending third and fourth respectively after difficult eventual race winner George Russell early on.
Vasseur stated he was glad with the group’s step ahead within the Melbourne race after difficulties in qualifying however added there was nonetheless a lot for them to get on high of within the early phases of F1’s new-look laws, with the Chinese language Grand Prix – the season’s first Dash occasion – shortly subsequent up this weekend.
“We know that we have tonnes of things to improve – on the strategy, on the engine, on the chassis, on the tyres, on everything,” stated the Ferrari group principal.
“And for the drivers for use to take care of the automobile as it’s as we speak. You probably have the radio of all people, you noticed that it is fairly a problem. It is true for us, however it’s true for the others.
“The result will be based on our capacity to improve quickly.”
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Trip on board with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as they each get a rocketing begin off the road in Australia
Ferrari needed to wait till the season’s fifth spherical to safe a Grand Prix podium final season however their early 2026 type each in pre-season testing and Australia has provided the promise of a attainable problem for the world championships.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has already stated “we have a fight on our hands with Ferrari” this 12 months.
“The feeling is more positive than something else,” added Vasseur.
“We had a tough Saturday [in Australia], I think we didn’t put everything together. We were fourth and seventh, it was quite hard, but we recovered part of this [in the race]
“It is good to have two automobiles combating additionally on the high, and we all know that we’ve got a really lengthy record of enhancements.
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Highlights from the 2026 Australian Grand Prix
“It’s true for us, but it’s true for everybody on the grid, and the result of the season and the season will be based on the capacity that we have to develop, to bring upgrades, to produce quickly. And this will be key for the season, for everybody on the grid.
“Now I want to start out the season in a fine condition than in a foul form, however it’s nonetheless an extended approach to go.”
Vasseur guards against knee-jerk Hamilton verdicts
Vasseur was also asked in his post-race briefing with the written media about Hamilton’s performance in Melbourne – which saw the Briton finish on third-placed Leclerc’s tail – and whether the seven-time world champion was ‘back’ after a disappointing 2025.
“More than happy with the efficiency of Lewis over the weekend, however I believe we’ve got to cease saying one weekend he is there, one weekend he isn’t there,” stated Vasseur.
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Lewis Hamilton says he was pleased with the consequence from the primary race however insists Ferrari have work to do to catch as much as Mercedes
“It’s a sport, sometimes we are doing a good session, sometimes not. [On Saturday] the quali, honestly, as a team principal, I was disappointed. [On Sunday] it was much better.
“It is a part of the sport that we’ve got to work all collectively, to push all collectively.”
Hamilton’s hitherto best day as a Ferrari driver came at last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, his second race weekend for the team, when he won the short-form Sprint.
Shanghai again stages the season’s first Sprint event this weekend but, in wake of the wholesale change to the technical rules since 2025, Vasseur cautioned: “The truth that we have been in fine condition within the China Dash final 12 months, I am unsure that it has one thing to do with this week.
“For sure, it will be difficult because we need time to adjust the strategy in terms of [energy] deployment and also on the driving.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Chinese language GP schedule
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A glance again on the wildest moments caught on the onboard digicam on the Chinese language Grand Prix
Thursday March 12
5am: Drivers’ Press Convention
8am: Paddock Uncut
Friday March 13
1.05am: F1 Academy Apply
3am: Chinese language GP Apply (session begins at 3.30am)*
5.30am: Crew Bosses Press Convention*
6am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
6.45am: Chinese language GP Dash Qualifying (session begins at 7.30am)*
Saturday March 14
2.25am: Chinese language GP Dash build-up*
3am: CHINESE GP SPRINT*
4.30am: Ted’s Dash Pocket book*
5.30am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6.30am: Chinese language GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
Sunday March 15
2.35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5.30am: Chinese language GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
9am: Chinese language GP response: Chequered Flag*
10am: Ted’s Pocket book*
*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
Formulation 1 heads to Shanghai for the primary Dash weekend of the 2026 season on the Chinese language Grand Prix from this Friday, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
