Fred Vasseur believes the 2026 regulations will transform how drivers experience the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
With smaller, lighter and less aerodynamically dependent cars, the Ferrari team boss highlighted how the new rules will offer a fundamentally altered feel around the Principality's tight streets.
The new generation of F1 machinery represents one of the most sweeping overhauls in the sport's history. On the chassis side, wheelbases have been shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, overall car width reduced by 100mm to 1,900mm, and tyres narrowed at both ends.
Combined with a minimum weight drop of 32kg to 768kg, the cars are noticeably more compact and agile than their predecessors.
The aerodynamic philosophy has also been fundamentally rethought. Ground-effect tunnels have been replaced with flatter floors and extended diffusers, while active aerodynamics now allow dynamic wing adjustment through specific sections of the circuit, although that element has been disabled for the round in Monte Carlo.
Around Monaco, where low-speed grip is everything, drivers are expected to encounter more sliding and a far greater reliance on mechanical setup and tyre management.
The power unit picture is equally dramatic, with the approximate 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, meaning energy management will be significantly different.
At a street circuit like Monaco, where power delivery and driveability through slow corners are critical, managing that electrical output will place fresh demands on drivers.
"Monaco is always a unique weekend, and this year it will be particularly interesting with the new generation of cars, which, for the drivers, should feel quite different on this type of circuit," Vasseur said ahead of the weekend.
"It is a track where qualifying, confidence and execution matter even more than usual, and where every detail can make a difference."
And for Charles Leclerc, the weekend carries particular emotional weight, which Vassuer was keen to point out.
The Monégasque driver endured years of heartbreak at his home race, from a DNS on pole in 2021 to a costly Ferrari strategy error in 2022, before finally breaking through with a historic victory in 2024, becoming the first Monégasque winner since Louis Chiron in 1931. He followed that up with second place last year.
"For Charles, it is obviously a very special race, in front of his home crowd, while there is always plenty of support for Ferrari from the fans, and we know how much energy he draws from racing in this situation," the Frenchman added.
"That aside, our approach does not change: we have to stay focused, build the weekend session by session and make sure we put both drivers in the best possible position to extract the maximum from the car."
Originally published by RacingNews365 —
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