The new Formula 1 rules have sparked mixed opinions, and Fred Vasseur acknowledged that he still has reservations about the current regulation. The Ferrari boss highlighted progress in the battles on track, but criticized the reduction in the average power of the engines.
In an interview with the French publication Auto Hebdo, Vasseur said he holds a balanced view of the new era. For him, the races are now more open, while energy management has introduced a strategic element that he views as a positive addition.
“I have mixed feelings. As a motorsport fan, the races are undoubtedly more open than before,” stated Vasseur. The executive also explained that, unlike the use of DRS, the driver now needs to manage energy and choose the right moment to deploy it, avoiding running out of battery during a lap.
The Belgian Grand Prix was cited by Vasseur as an illustration of this trait. According to the head of Ferrari, after a restart at Spa-Francorchamps, some teams managed to regain energy before the finish line, while others deliberately shed ground to reach the restart with more energy: “Perhaps it isn’t a pure race, but it is still a display of skill, and to me that is the positive side,” he added.
However, the principal critique centers on the interplay between the evolution of the chassis and the decrease in average engine power. Vasseur noted that corners such as Pouhon, at Spa, and Copse, at Silverstone, lost part of the challenge they once posed, also mentioning Radillon and Blanchimont. Still, he believes the balance could be adjusted between 2027 and 2028, with a new distribution between the thermal and electric components, while preserving the same maximum power.
