The Ferrari team principal admitted: “They are clearly ahead in energy deployment and distribution.”
Ferrari still chasing
What was seen in Australia and during the Sprint Qualifying session earlier today in Shanghai has made it clear that Mercedes currently represent the benchmark in the early stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Ferrari are still unable to fully exploit the potential of their overall package in qualifying conditions, and during Friday’s action in China the Scuderia finished fourth with Lewis Hamilton, who ended up six tenths behind and even trailed Lando Norris’ McLaren.
Vasseur’s admission: Mercedes have a clear advantage
Speaking to the microphones of Canal+, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur offered a clear and honest analysis of the situation: “In SQ3 we struggled to put everything together. We slightly underestimated the difference in grip between the two sets of tyres and in the end we didn’t deliver the lap that we should have done.”
The French manager also made it clear that he does not want to create unrealistic expectations among Ferrari fans: “The gap to Mercedes is still there and it will not disappear in 24 hours. In qualifying last week the difference was eight tenths, today it was six and perhaps it could have been five. But we are in the fight. It’s up to us to keep working and we know very well that it will not disappear in one or two races. They have an advantage and it’s up to us to try to get closer.”
Fred Vasseur concluded by highlighting the specific area where Mercedes appear to be strongest at the moment: “In terms of energy deployment and distribution Mercedes have a clear advantage, and it’s up to us to try to improve in this area while also doing the best possible job with the chassis. Today we could have done better.”
