2026 Focus Looms as F1 Giants Gauge 2025 Start

Ferrari and Mercedes may prioritize 2026 development depending on their competitiveness during the opening races of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Fred Vasseur admits Ferrari could “quickly” shift focus to the 2026 season during the early part of 2025.

2025 marks the final year of the current technical regulatory period, with teams permitted to begin aerodynamic development for the all-new 2026 rules starting January 1.

This makes the upcoming season unique, as even the top teams may choose to focus more heavily on 2026 at an early stage.

For Ferrari, Vasseur acknowledges that this decision will depend on whether the team emerges as a genuine title contender.

“I think from the start of 2025, we will need to split our time and resources between the two programs. Inevitably, the results from the first set of races in 2025 will dictate how we proceed from there.”

“If we realize we have little to gain or lose that season, we will quickly shift all our efforts to the 2026 project.”

“But if we are fighting for the title, we will need to dedicate significant hours each week to developing the 2025 car.”

Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff shares a similar approach.

“I think most teams will decide to shift the majority of their resources to the 2026 cars quite early, but it will be a back-and-forth for a few months.”

“I believe everything will fall into place as it should during the early races, but I’m not sure we’ll see many upgrades after the summer.”