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Ferrari’s superiority off the start line has been a key feature of the first two races in Australia and China
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur insists “enough is enough” and implored Formula 1 not to further alter the race start procedure at the start of the 2026 season. Ferrari’s prowess off the line, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton taking the lead from the second row of the grid in Australia and China respectively, has given the Scuderia a clear advantage over leaders Mercedes at lights out. Mercedes’ championship leader George Russell insisted before the race in Shanghai that Ferrari were being “selfish” for blocking a tweak to the procedure, which has already been modified with a five-second ‘flashing blue light’ to allow time for the drivers at the back to minimise their turbo lag.
Fred Vasseur on F1 race starts: ‘Enough is enough’ (AP) Russell’s comments followed various drivers struggling to execute a smooth get-away in Australia and, subsequently, the potential for big crashes on the home straight. Yet Vasseur, keen to maintain his team’s advantage, dismissed the notion of further modifications. “I think that we already massively changed the rules of the start with the five-second sequence.
” Vasseur said. “One year ago, I went to the FIA, raised my hand on the starting procedure. I said: 'Guys, it will be difficult.
’ "The reply was clear: that you have to design the car to fit with the regulations, not change the regulations to fit with the car. "We designed the car to fit the regulations. The change with the five-second blue light sequence didn't help us at all.