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Ferrari fans have tentatively raised their hopes for the 2026 F1 season after team boss Fred Vasseur claimed in Japan that the championship might look “different” in Miami.
The Scuderia have reaped the rewards from Vasseur very early electing to sacrifice the 2025 season and focus their resources on F1’s 2026 regulations. Vasseur ceased developing the Ferrari SF-25 in April last season so they could exclusively run the SF-26 in their wind tunnel.
But Mercedes have started 2026 as the team to beat, with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli producing an unbeaten start. The Brackley bunch lead their rivals from Maranello in first and second in the F1 constructors’ standings by 31 points after the first two rounds.
Charles Leclerc joined the Silver Arrows drivers on the Australian Grand Prix podium with P3 for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton stood on the Chinese Grand Prix rostrum in P3. Leclerc’s P2 in the Shanghai Sprint puts him one point above Hamilton but 17 shy of early leader Russell.
Here’s how the grid will line up for the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix – Which driver can spring a surprise at Suzuka?
Fred Vasseur claims F1 could see a ‘different championship’ at the Miami Grand Prix
Mercedes now look set to stretch their advantage over Ferrari at the Japanese Grand Prix, as well. Antonelli scored pole for the Japanese GP in a Mercedes one-two on Saturday ahead of Russell. Leclerc will head Ferrari’s race from P4 on the Suzuka grid, with Hamilton only in P6.
READ MORE: Who is Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur? Everything you need to know
The Tifosi are tentatively hopeful for what may come for Ferrari after the April break, caused by the cancellations of the rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, though. Vasseur has sparked cautious optimism among Ferrari’s fans by claiming the championship may change in Miami.
Vasseur told Sky Sports Italy: “Am I satisfied with this start to the season? Yes and no. No, because our goal is to finish on the podium, but also to win races. This means we have a performance deficit compared to Mercedes, and that’s clear.
“This means we need to do a better job, but, overall, we’re not far off, and we know that Miami could be a different championship.
“We need to continue to score a lot of points, finish on the podium, and not be far behind Mercedes. We’ll need to be close in the championship.
“The rate of development in the world championship will be very high, which is why we’ll need to keep pushing so hard in the coming months to accumulate points and results.”
Ferrari fans think Fred Vasseur is ‘cooking’ but fear how true his hopes will be in Miami
The cancellations of F1’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the situation in the Middle East mean the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3 is now round four of the 2026 season. The gap will also offer the 11 F1 teams a chance to refine upgrades that might be unveiled in Florida.
Ferrari now hope to use their Macarena rear wing in Miami after deciding against using it on Hamilton or Leclerc’s cars in Japan due to F1 only selecting two straight mode zones. But the break will not let Ferrari introduce an engine upgrade in Miami under the ADUO regulations.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory
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F1 introduced the Additional Design and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) as part of the 2026 regulations, which are designed to help any engine manufacturers whose V6 engine is 2% or 4% worse than the best unit. The first ADUO upgrades will be permitted from the sixth race.
Teams whose V6 internal combustion engine (ICE) is 2% behind the benchmark will be able to introduce one upgrade later in the season, while those with an engine 4% down will get two chances to introduce upgrades. But Vasseur’s comment in Japan has now raised hope.
One Ferrari fan reacted on X to Vasseur’s claims that the 2026 championship picture could change in Miami by noting: “Please don’t lie to us.” Another Scuderia fan also said, “I hope this means what I think it means!”, while one Ferrari fan simply even noted: “Here we go!”
A Ferrari fan also said, “He knows something,” and another suggested, “Fred is cooking,” in response to his claims. Yet a lot of Ferrari fans are reluctant to get their hopes up too much, with one stating, “That’s a bold statement,” and another claiming, “Don’t give me hope.”
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