Fred Vasseur speaks out on Ferrari’s 2026 trajectory: from strategic objectives and ambitions to the pivotal role of Technical Director Loïc Serra
Fred Vasseur continues to command the narrative. In recent days, the French Team Principal has released a series of high-impact statements regarding Ferrari’s 2026 outlook, touching upon competitive goals, driver expectations, and the influence of Loïc Serra.
The Scuderia’s Technical Director—recruited from Mercedes in 2024 to succeed Enrico Cardile as the lead designer in Maranello—has faced significant scrutiny. Often singled out in discussions regarding the SF-25, a car that has struggled to leave a lasting mark, Serra has found a staunch ally in Vasseur. The Team Principal has stepped forward with decisive remarks to shield his technical lead.
Vasseur defends Serra: “The 2026 car will be his first product”
The reveal of the new Ferrari, scheduled for January 23, 2026, will place Loïc Serra at the center of the behind-the-scenes narrative. Along with Jerome D’Ambrosio, the Frenchman was one of the cornerstone “signings” of the Vasseur era, and the pressure is now on to deliver results.
Defending Serra’s record, Vasseur stated: “The 2026 car? That will be Loïc Serra’s car. . I have no intention of dodging my responsibilities, but when we discuss Cardile, we must also discuss Loïc. Enrico left the team in June 2024, and Loïc joined in October, by which time the 2025 car was almost finalized”.
“That is why I was disappointed when some members of the press blamed Loïc for last season; I believe it was unfair. Ultimately, next year’s car will be his first true product“.
Vasseur also emphasized the critical importance of maximizing mileage during the Barcelona testing sessions: “You remember perfectly well how it was 10 or 15 years ago, when the opening races saw a massive percentage of retirements. This means our primary objective must be to accumulate mileage“.
Concluding on the strategy for the winter tests, Vasseur noted: “The priority in Barcelona will be distance—studying reliability, identifying areas for improvement, and establishing how to react. If a major issue is discovered only in Bahrain, there would be no time to intervene before Australia. Our primary goal for the Barcelona tests will undoubtedly be mileage rather than pure performance”.
Photos: Scuderia Ferrari HP
