Ferrari's Road to Revival: The Psychological Shift

Ferrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, acknowledges the psychological challenges faced by his team after shifting development focus from the 2025 to the 2026 Formula One car. Despite mechanical upgrades, the team struggles with prolonged winless streaks, leading to frustrations among drivers, including Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur admitted on Friday that the psychological impact of halting the development of their 2025 Formula One car was perhaps underestimated. This strategic decision has left the team, the only top four team yet to secure a win this season, grappling with frustration.

Drivers Charles Leclerc and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton have openly voiced their dissatisfaction with the situation. Hamilton, who transitioned from Mercedes in January, has described the season as his worst and has not appeared on a podium since. The mood was somber after their recent performance, with Hamilton qualifying 18th for the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, even after starting last in Las Vegas the previous weekend.

Vasseur revealed that the early call to focus on the 2026 season's car development was tough but necessary. Although Ferrari implemented some mechanical updates and operational tweaks, the focus remained on the upcoming era of new engine and rules. Understanding drivers' frustrations, Vasseur stressed the importance of channeling this disappointment into positive action as they aim to re-establish their competitive edge in future seasons.

(With inputs from agencies.)