Vasseur: Leclerc's Abu Dhabi Experiment Won't Affect 2026 Ferrari

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has downplayed the significance of Charles Leclerc's experimental setup used at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, stating it will have zero influence on the development of their 2026 car, Project 678. Vasseur emphasized that the sweeping regulatory changes for 2026—which will overhaul chassis, power units, and aerodynamics—render the current car's philosophy largely irrelevant for the future project.

Why it matters:

With Ferrari coming off a season where they narrowly missed the 2024 constructors' title but fell significantly short in 2025, the team is looking for a clean break and a genuine shot at championship contention in 2026. Vasseur's comments signal a strategic pivot, acknowledging that solving the nuances of the current car is less important than getting the all-new design right from the start. In an era of massive change, a fresh philosophy could be the key to dethroning the established frontrunners.

The details:

• Leclerc's experimental setup was a direct response to a "drama" at the start of the Abu Dhabi weekend, where a poor initial Friday setup immediately dropped the car out of competitive positions.
• Vasseur stressed the extreme sensitivity of the current cars, noting that missing just "one or two tenths" on a qualifying lap can be the difference between a podium and a fifth-place finish.
• The 2026 regulations represent a fundamental reset, introducing 50% electrification, sustainable fuels, and active aerodynamics, which Vasseur says will make "half of the car" completely different.
• Ferrari's testing plan for Project 678 involves two distinct cars: an "A-spec" for the closed Barcelona test in January to verify core concepts, and a more developed "B-spec" for the final Bahrain tests in February.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the official launch of Project 678 on January 23, just three days before pre-season testing begins. The car is expected to feature a double-pushrod suspension layout, a design not seen on a Ferrari since 2010, signaling a significant philosophical shift as the team aims to capitalize on the new regulations and mount a serious title challenge in 2026.