Ferrari Vasseur Aims For Improvement During One-Month Break Ahead Of Miami Grand Prix

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Ferrari remain second in the 2026 Formula One constructors' standings, yet Fred Vasseur is demanding gains before the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May, after Charles Leclerc’s podium at Suzuka left Mercedes still 45 points ahead.

Leclerc sits third in the drivers' table with Lewis Hamilton just behind in fourth, separated by eight points, while Ferrari enjoy a 44-point cushion over McLaren in third, underlining both progress and the scale of the task against Mercedes.

With the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix cancelled, Formula One now pauses for more than a month before Miami, giving Ferrari a rare development window as Vasseur pushes to reduce the performance gap to Mercedes on key circuits.

Looking back on Suzuka, Vasseur praised Leclerc’s race craft under pressure, stating: "I think it was overall a good weekend with a fantastic drive from Charles over the last couple of laps, keeping [George] Russell behind," highlighting strong race execution despite limitations.

Race strategy and timing also shaped Ferrari’s result in Japan, as Vasseur acknowledged: "He was a bit unlucky like George with the Safety Car, but overall it was a strong performance. Now we have one month in front of us to come back a bit stronger before Miami."

Vasseur underlined the importance of consistent scoring against Mercedes over a long season, explaining: "It's good to score points and always be there to [stay on] the path of the Championship because it's important for the rest of the season," stressing reliability and regular podiums.

The Ferrari principal also pointed to a clear technical weakness versus Mercedes at Suzuka, noting: "It was clear that we have a deficit of performance in a straight line – they were complaining a lot, but it is like it is. We have room for improvement," as work continues before Miami.

Kimi Antonelli’s victory for Mercedes at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Hamilton finishing sixth, underlined the leaders’ current edge, while Ferrari’s position as main challengers sets the context for a crucial development phase before championship racing resumes in Miami on 3 May.