The Ferrari boss has made his prediction, but time will tell if he is correct or not.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur is expecting a greater field convergence in 2026, suggesting that a backmarker team could become faster as the year progresses due to the new technical regulations in place.
The 2026 regulations are anticipated to cause a wider gap and time differential between the 11 teams, allowing those initially trailing to make their way up the grid while the early frontrunners may reach a performance plateau over time.
In 2025, Williams showcased improvement under the ground effects rules, securing two podium finishes and 137 points, a significant contrast to their last-place finish with only 8 points in 2022.
Vasseur pointed out that current rules, coupled with the cost cap and aerodynamic testing regulations, make it more feasible for struggling teams to enhance their performance quickly.
Despite the prevailing advantage of leading teams, Vasseur believes that performance convergence will eventually occur, with teams catching up throughout the seasons, benefiting from factors like wind-tunnel time allocation.
He predicts that, with different starting potentials and lap times, the field will soon witness notable convergence, reinforcing the notion of enhanced competition in the upcoming seasons.
