P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari is seeking its first F1 title in 17 years this season in what is being predicted to be one of the closest championship fights in F1 history.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has highlighted a key factor influencing the team’s upcoming F1 campaign. With ambitions to challenge for the F1 title, Ferrari hopes to bounce back from narrowly missing out on the constructors’ championship to McLaren last season. The addition of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, alongside long-time Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, is expected to bolster the team’s competitive edge. The upcoming F1 season is anticipated to be fiercely contested, following a closely fought battle at the front of the field in the latter part of the 2024 season. While the regulations have remained stable during the winter break, a major overhaul is on the horizon for 2026, prompting a strategic shift in development focus. Vasseur emphasized the significance of the early races and initial car upgrades in shaping Ferrari’s season, hinting at a transition towards prioritizing the 2026 car as the season progresses.
