Vasseur: FIA's race start change 'a bit unfair' to teams that optimized launches

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has taken aim at rivals who complained about race starts, jokingly saying that without the FIA's intervention, "some cars would still be on the grid in China." The Frenchman argued that the late rule change—introducing a blue warning light system for 2026—was unfair to teams that had deliberately designed their power units around optimizing launches.

Why it matters:

The start procedure debate exposes a fundamental tension in F1: teams invest heavily in specific design philosophies, only to see regulations altered mid-cycle on safety grounds. Ferrari chose a smaller turbo for quicker launches at the expense of peak power, while Mercedes and others struggled off the line. The FIA's change levels the playing field but penalizes strategic risk-taking.

The details:

• Vasseur's frustration: He told The Race that the issue was raised a year ago in advisory committees. The FIA initially said "you have to design the car for the regulations, not the regulations for your car," but later acted after complaints from roughly 40% of the grid.
• Alternative solution: Vasseur believes the FIA could have forced struggling teams to start from the pit lane instead of altering a rule after cars were already designed around launch characteristics.
• Safety justification: The FIA acted on safety grounds, which Vasseur acknowledges gives them full authority—even if all teams opposed it.
• Engine philosophy: Ferrari adopted a smaller turbo for optimal launches; Mercedes chose a conventional approach and lost positions in early races. Mercedes' George Russell had earlier implied some teams had "selfish views" on the matter.
• FIA president responds: Mohammed Ben Sulayem noted that the regulation discussions began well before he signed off in 2022, and that the loudest criticism comes from teams that failed to extract performance from the new package. Frontrunners like Mercedes and Ferrari haven't complained publicly to the same extent.

What's next:

The 2026 season has just begun, with start performance now more equalized. Vasseur's comments highlight how rule changes can reshape competitive dynamics, and whether Ferrari can maintain its edge in other areas remains to be seen. The debate also underscores the ongoing push-pull between innovation and regulation in F1.