F1 | Ferrari, Vasseur: "In Australia, it doesn't matter if we're P1 or P10; it'll be a long road for everyone."

2026 represents a great opportunity for several teams thanks to the new technical regulations. Among them is Ferrari, which is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season, finishing fourth in the Constructors' Championship, behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull, without scoring a single win.

While awaiting the new championship, which will see the Ferrari team unveil its latest project in Maranello on January 23rd, Frederic Vasseur preferred to keep his feet on the ground, emphasizing that the result obtained at the end of the first race will not be decisive, but rather the ability to develop the car throughout the season.

“Next year, the first race of the season won’t be important, the standings in Australia won’t be important, what will be important is the ability to develop quickly,” Vasseur said, quoted by Autosport. “The season will definitely not end in Australia, it doesn’t matter if we are first or tenth, but it will be a long road to the end, it will be a long road for everyone.”

Vasseur, continuing his speech, remained mum: "I have no idea. Our sport is about competition. I can do a good job, but if someone else does a better job, I'll look stupid. We're pushing ourselves to the limit and trying to do our best, and certainly the more time you put into the project, the better the outcome."

The Prancing Horse team principal then added: "But I don't know if McLaren, Red Bull, or Alpine are ahead of us. Nobody knows, and I think the most important thing is not to waste time trying to figure out whether the others are ahead or behind."