Fred Vasseur has been consistent in how he has talked about Lewis Hamilton’s struggles, using the same explanation time and again.
When Hamilton made the move to Ferrari, it looked like an ideal situation. But with the field tighter than ever, it quickly became clear that even the smallest margins were going to matter.
Vasseur told F1’s official website: “It means that as soon as you are missing something, if you let one tenth of a second on the table because you are not in control of everything, today one tenth of a second is [the equivalent of] five-tenths [in terms of] position.”
This was especially true when Hamilton was just a few tenths off Charles Leclerc but found himself several places back on the grid. But looking ahead to next season, things are expected to shift quite a bit.
How 2026 F1 rule changes could play in Lewis Hamilton’s favour at Ferrari
This season, F1 is moving closer to being half-electric, with battery power set to increase threefold. Teams will also be using sustainable fuels.
Another key change is the introduction of active aerodynamics, allowing both front and rear wings to adjust in straight-line mode for improved speed.
Speaking to Motorsport.com back in 2024, iconic F1 designer Adrian Newey said: “Just as everything’s starting to converge, and fans are starting to get what they want, we have got an even bigger change – because it’s the first time I can remember we’ve got a new PU and chassis happening at the same time.
“The chances of that blowing the grid apart have to be pretty significant.”
For fans who enjoyed the tight qualifying battles of last year, this is not great news. But it might work in Hamilton’s favour. If there had been more separation between top teams and the midfield last year, his results could have looked a lot better.
Hamilton often found himself under pressure from Williams or Racing Bulls when he was just a bit slower than Leclerc. If the field does spread out again, falling behind his teammate might not cost him as much ground this time around.
Of course, after a year getting used to Ferrari, Hamilton will want to be on equal footing with Leclerc. Even so, if Ferrari stay near the front of the pack, there should be more room for error compared to previous seasons.
Early Ferrari F1 2026 feedback
John Elkann, the chairman, promised back in 2022 that Ferrari would win the title by the end of 2026, making sure their drought did not hit two decades. This is their last chance to make good on that promise.
Loic Serra, a former Mercedes engineer, is behind Ferrari’s 2026 car and is said to be taking a bold approach.
Serra will oversee the chassis development, but Hamilton and Leclerc will also need a strong engine if they are going to challenge favourites like Mercedes and McLaren.
The power unit has reportedly performed well in early testing, but these claims will only be proven once the car hits the track in Barcelona later this month.
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