P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has revealed the extreme lengths Formula 1 teams may go to next season to jump rivals ahead of the new 2026 technical regulations.
In 2026, new regulations will be introduced, featuring a car redesigned with a focus on aerodynamics and a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power. Teams cannot begin work on their 2026 cars until the following season, possibly leading to evolutions of current cars in 2025, akin to the 2021 season preparing for the 2022 ground-effect era. This situation may spark a competitive race to gain an advantage before the new rules through alternative methods, as hinted by Vasseur, proposing teams sacrifice their 2025 season for increased wind tunnel testing time in 2026. Vasseur underscores the stagnant aero gains under the current rules cycle, suggesting that finishing lower in 2025 could provide crucial advantages for the 2026 regulations. Wind tunnel testing time is currently determined by Constructors’ Championship standings, leaving top teams in a dilemma between prestige, prize money, and optimal preparation for the upcoming changes. Ferrari’s potential sacrifice in 2025 could see them entering 2026 with a significant wind tunnel testing advantage over Red Bull and McLaren, reshaping the competitive landscape.
