Ferrari's Vasseur Declares Start‑Procedure Debate Closed

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur says the FIA’s recent five‑second blue‑light tweak is the final word on start‑procedure changes. With the Scuderia’s smaller turbo giving it a launch edge, Vasseur insists the case is closed.

Why it matters:

• Start performance now decides podiums under the 50/50 hybrid formula, where turbo lag can cost critical seconds.
• Drivers have flagged safety concerns over uneven launches, prompting the blue‑light warning.
• Any further rule tweak requires a super‑majority, so a single dissenting team can block change.

The details:

• The 2026 regs removed the MGU‑H, exposing turbo lag; Ferrari’s smaller turbo spools faster, granting a launch edge.
• The FIA added a five‑second pre‑start blue‑light cue, but Vasseur says it didn’t help Ferrari’s start and the team already built the car around the rule.
• Vasseur stresses rule changes need a super‑majority. With customer teams Haas and Cadillac unlikely to back a move that strips Ferrari’s advantage, the debate is effectively closed.

What's next:

• Vasseur’s “case closed” stance means no further start‑procedure reforms are expected this season.
• If driver complaints intensify, the FIA may revisit the energy‑harvest limit, but any amendment will face a tough voting hurdle.