Vasseur warns Ferrari must ‘be on the ball’ from FP1 in Montreal

Ferrari arrives in Montreal carrying the weight of a Sprint weekend and the memory of Gilles Villeneuve—and team principal Frédéric Vasseur is making it clear that preparation time is a luxury they do not have.

With only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying, every lap counts. Vasseur knows that in a format that punishes hesitation, even a small misstep can derail the entire weekend.

Why it matters:

• Montreal is traditionally a stronghold for Ferrari, with massive tifosi support and the emotional legacy of circuit namesake Gilles Villeneuve.
• The Sprint format amplifies pressure: a single FP1 session is all the teams get to dial in setup before competitive running begins.
• Ferrari’s upgraded SF-26 package, including the “Macarena” rear wing designed for straight‑line efficiency, will be put to the test on the long straights of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The details:

• Track challenges: The circuit is tough on brakes, demands strong traction out of slow corners and chicanes, and unpredictable weather (including low temperatures) could add another layer of complexity.
• Vasseur’s warning: “We will need to be on the ball from the first session, focus on execution, and make the most of every opportunity over the weekend.”
• No safety net: With just one practice hour, teams must arrive with near‑perfect preparation—or risk playing catch‑up for the rest of the event.

What's next:

• Ferrari’s qualifying and Sprint race performance will reveal whether the upgrades pay off under intense pressure.
• If the Scuderia can execute cleanly from FP1, their straight‑line speed advantage could put them in contention for a strong result in front of their passionate home‑away‑from‑home crowd.