Frédéric Vasseur said Ferrari had “a lot of things to improve” to be more competitive in the new era of F1, and said he was “very happy” with Lewis Hamilton starting his second season with the team.
Ferrari came closest to favorites Mercedes at last weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, who challenged eventual winner George Russell early on, finishing third and fourth respectively.
Vasseur said he was pleased with the team’s progress in the Melbourne race after overcoming difficulties in qualifying, but added there was still a lot for the team to excel at in the early stages of F1’s new regulations, with the first sprint event of the season, the Chinese Grand Prix, quickly approaching this weekend.
“We know there are a lot of things to improve, strategy, engine, chassis, tires and everything else,” said the Ferrari team principal.
“And the drivers have to be used to handling the car the way it is today. Knowing everyone’s radios, you could see that being quite a challenge. That’s true for us, but it’s true for others as well.”
“Results will be determined by our ability to improve quickly.”
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Join Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as they get off to a great start in Australia
Ferrari had to wait until the fifth race of the season to secure a Grand Prix podium last season, but continued their strong form in early 2026 in both pre-season testing and in Australia, promising a potential challenge for the World Championship.
Mercedes manager Toto Wolff has already said this year that “we are looking forward to a battle with Ferrari.”
“This sentiment is more positive than others,” Vasseur added.
“We had a tough Saturday (in Australia). I don’t think we could put everything together. We were fourth and seventh, which was pretty tough, but we were able to take some of that back (in the race).”
“It’s good to have two cars fighting at the top and we know we have a very long list of things to improve.
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2026 Australian Grand Prix Highlights
“That’s true for us, but it’s also true for everyone on the grid, and the season and the results of the season are based on the capabilities that we have to develop, bring in upgrades and produce quickly. And this will be key to the season for everyone on the grid.”
“Right now I would prefer to start the season in good shape rather than bad, but we still have a long way to go.”
Vasseur warns against Hamilton’s reckless sentence
Vasseur was also asked in his post-race press conference with written media about Hamilton’s performance in Melbourne – the Brit finished behind Leclerc in third place – and whether the seven-time world champion was “back” after a disappointing 2025.
“I’m very happy with Lewis’ performance over the weekend, but I think we have to stop saying one weekend he’s there and another weekend he’s not there,” Vasseur said.
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Lewis Hamilton was happy with the result of the first race but insisted Ferrari had work to do to catch up with Mercedes
“This is a sport. Sometimes you have a good session and sometimes you don’t. Qualifying (Saturday) was disappointing, to be honest, as a team principal. (Sunday) was much better.”
“It’s part of the game that we all have to come together and push together.”
Hamilton’s best day yet as a Ferrari driver was when he won the shortened sprint at last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, the team’s second race weekend.
Shanghai will once again host its first sprint event of the season this weekend, but following major changes to the technical regulations from 2025, Vasseur warned: “The fact that I felt good in the China Sprint last year, I don’t know if that has anything to do with this week.
“It will certainly be difficult because we need time to adjust our strategy in terms of (energy) deployment and driving.”
Sky Sports F1 China GP Schedule
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A look back at the wildest moments captured on camera at the Chinese Grand Prix
Thursday, March 12th
5am: Driver press conference
8am: Paddock uncut
Friday, March 13th
1:05am: F1 Academy practice
3:00am: Chinese GP Practice (session starts at 3:30am)*
5:30am: Team boss press conference*
6am: F1 Academy Qualifying*
6:45am: Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 7:30am)*
Saturday, March 14th
2:25am: Chinese GP sprint build-up*
3am: Chinese GP Sprint*
4.30am: Ted’s Sprint Notes*
5:30am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6:30am: Chinese GP qualifying build-up*
7am: Chinese GP Qualifying*
9am: Ted’s Qualification Notebook*
Sunday March 15th
2:35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5:30am: Preparation for Chinese Grand Prix: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: Chinese Grand Prix*
9am: Chinese GP reaction: Checkered flag*
10am: Ted’s Notes*
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
F1 heads to Shanghai this Friday for the first sprint weekend of the 2026 season, the Chinese Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
