Ferrari second force
During 2025, team principal Frederic Vasseur explained that Ferrari had already stopped aerodynamic updates on the SF-25 as early as April, to concentrate workforce and resources on the 2026 project. In these first three races of the new year, marked by the debated regulatory revolution, Ferrari achieved three third places in as many grand prix. The Rossa, standings in hand, is the second force, -45 from Mercedes, but also +44 over McLaren and +74 over Red Bull.
The progress compared to the first three races of 2025 is evident, in which the Maranello team had collected just 35 points, compared to the current 90.
In short, is the Prancing Horse’s glass half full or half empty? FormulaPassion.it asked Francesco Cigarini (present on Instagram and on YouTube), at Ferrari for 22 years.
Read more Historic car races, news on the starting grid
“Vasseur? Useless to look for a replacement”
Francesco Cigarini, from the Ferrari side, how do you evaluate this start of the season?
“Ferrari’s start marks a reversal of the trend compared to last year. Being the second force is positive in general because the study applied to the new regulations confirmed that they worked well, even if for now it is not enough. However, a misstep by the Mercedes-powered teams (official team and perhaps also customers) would be enough to take advantage of it.
Out-of-the-box design improvements are positive, because instead of ‘copying’ others’ ideas, studies and ideas designed in Maranello are implemented, a sign of a rediscovered and stimulating desire for innovation.”
Read more Alfa Romeo at the New York Auto Show: two SUVs on display
Considering the various regulatory cases that involved Mercedes at the start of the season, do you believe team principal Frederic Vasseur is the right man for Ferrari’s political battles in F1?
“Vasseur is now in the mechanism and knows everything better. Looking for a replacement today is useless, better to focus on ideas than on changing the leader.”
