Ferrari hit back over major F1 controversy: 'Enough is enough'

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has put his foot down in a bid to prevent any further changes to the F1 start procedure, which has proven contentious at the advent of the new regulations cycle.

Early in the campaign, getting off the line under the 2026 rules has been a considerable source of difficulty for the majority of the field, with the Ferrari-powered cars enjoying an advantage.

The smaller turbo in the Italian manufacturer's power unit allows it to be spooled up to the correct RPM more easily and consistently, in turn helping produce more effective and reliable launches off the line — it is why Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have led into the first corner in both Melbourne and Shanghai despite not starting on the front row.

Ferrari identified the issue its rivals are currently facing a year ago, and when it brought its concerns to the FIA, it was waved away. So the Scuderia adapted and created a power unit that could handle the rigours of race starts.

However, the situation during F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain was so bad that the motorsport governing body implemented changes to the start process to help allay worries on safety grounds.

It introduced a five-second delay — by way of flashing blue panels, to give drivers time to prepare their turbos — before the traditional five red light sequence begins.

But that has not completely alleviated the problem, with numerous cars suffering poor starts across the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.

Thought not related to the turbo-size advantage Ferrari possesses, ahead of the round at the Shanghai International Circuit, George Russell explained how a "quirky" rule surrounding the harvesting limit and its reset point triggered the slow getaway seen the previous week.

The Mercedes driver revealed that one team had blocked any further changes in this area of the regulations, heavily hinting it was the Maranello-based squad.

Whilst RacingNews365 understands Ferrari was not alone in its stance, the six-time grand prix winner's remarks were put to Vasseur, who offered a blunt and clear response.

Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, he said: "I think that we already massively changed the rules of the start with the five-second sequence.

"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. But at some stage, enough is enough."

When asked in follow-up if it's a matter of case closed for him, Vasseur replied: "For me, yes."