There could be hope for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Lerclerc as Ferrari’s new structure takes shape under Vasseur as big upgrade package comes online – With a major upgrade package set to be rolled out at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, the internal restructuring of the team under the leadership of team principal Frédéric Vasseur is becoming increasingly significant.
The Italian team has already approved its latest developments, and a crucial 200 km filming day is scheduled at Monza next Wednesday (22 May 2026), which will provide the first on-track validation.
Meanwhile, according to Autoracer, Ferrari’s revised chain of command is now fully operational, designed to streamline decision-making and accelerate development, something the team has struggled to achieve in recent seasons.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
New Faces Strengthen the Technical Core
At Maranello, technical director Loïc Serra has been integrating several new hires into the structure. These include engineers Cédric Grosjean and Guillaume Dezetoux, as well as aerodynamic development chief Frank Sanchez.
Sanchez, who joined from Sauber (now Audi) several months ago, is already collaborating closely with aerodynamics director Diego Tondi. This collaboration is central to Ferrari’s renewed push for aerodynamic efficiency, an area where gains are now being pursued more aggressively and systematically than before by the red team.
Meanwhile, Enrico Gualtieri continues to oversee engine development on the power unit side. A new combustion engine is expected soon, pending regulatory approval, which underlines Ferrari’s intent to match and surpass its rivals in terms of both chassis and engines.
MORE NEWS – Verstappen has a go at Schumacher: “He talks a lot of…!”
Loyalty and stability in the engine department
Ferrari’s stability has been reinforced by Gualtieri’s decision to remain in Maranello, despite interest from Audi where his former colleague, Mattia Binotto, is now heading up the German manufacturer’s F1 project. Gualtieri reportedly declined the opportunity out of loyalty to Ferrari and his belief in Vasseur’s long-term vision.
Elsewhere, personnel changes continue to ripple across the paddock. Zimmermann’s departure to Audi marked the end of a consultancy cycle, following internal disagreements over a project that failed to deliver the expected results. Nevertheless, Ferrari’s current structure appears more cohesive than in previous years.
A Clearer Development Hierarchy
One of the most notable improvements is how Ferrari now implements upgrades. Although Oscar Piastri beat Ferrari at Suzuka, the SF-26’s performance suggests a solid foundation.
Under the new system, development flows more efficiently. Aerodynamic concepts are initially validated through simulation and wind tunnel work before being tested on the track by key engineers, including Dezetoux. Feedback is then relayed directly to Serra and Vasseur, who have the final say on whether updates proceed.
If approved, the upgrades are fast-tracked into production, with engineering manager Togninalli ensuring they are deployed rapidly to race weekends. This tighter loop between concept, validation and implementation represents a significant shift from Ferrari’s slower, more fragmented processes of the past.
Stability vs. Turmoil: Ferrari’s Structure vs. Red Bull’s Uncertainty
While Ferrari is doubling down on structure and clarity under Frédéric Vasseur, Red Bull Racing’s situation presents a stark contrast. The Scuderia’s carefully defined chain of command, linking Loïc Serra, Diego Tondi, and key engineering hires, has been designed to eliminate ambiguity and speed up development decisions at a pivotal moment in the season.
In contrast, Red Bull is dealing with the consequences of major internal upheaval. A recent TJ13 report described the situation as a ‘catastrophic brain drain’, warning that the team risks becoming ‘little more than a corporate ghost’ following a wave of senior departures.
The departures of high-profile figures, alongside ongoing uncertainty surrounding leadership and long-term direction, have raised questions about the Milton Keynes outfit’s continuity.
Perhaps in defiance of a historical trend of sacking leaders and senior staff quickly, Ferrari appears to be attempting to benefit from aligned leadership and clear accountability. Meanwhile, Red Bull appears to be navigating a period of instability that could manifest not only behind the scenes but also on the track as development races intensify.
READ MORE NEWS – Paddock talk of Red Bull implosion now goes public
Miami Package Signals Major Step Forward
Ferrari’s upcoming Miami upgrade package is expected to be the most extensive of the season so far. Vasseur has already hinted that the team will introduce ‘a package and a half’, reflecting a build-up of components that could have debuted earlier in the year.
The update will reportedly affect a large part of the car, including a revised front wing and further development around the so-called ‘flick tail’ area. Some components will also be refined to reduce weight without compromising the effectiveness of existing geometries.
A key focus remains reducing drag on the SF-26, an area that Ferrari considers critical to achieving further performance gains. The much-discussed reverse wing concept has taken longer to perfect, but internal confidence remains high that it will improve balance and efficiency.
Eyes on Mercedes and the bigger picture
As Ferrari pushes forward, attention inevitably turns to its rivals, particularly the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Questions remain over how regulatory frameworks, particularly ADUO allowances, will impact the competitive landscape following the Miami round.
However, Ferrari appears focused on its own trajectory. With a clearer hierarchy, a stronger technical team and a more decisive development process, the Scuderia is positioning itself not just for incremental gains, but for sustained success at the top.
The upcoming races, beginning in Miami and continuing through Montreal, will reveal whether Vasseur’s restructuring can deliver the consistency and performance that Ferrari has long sought.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
NEXT ARTICLE – Fans ditching F1 as viewer numbers collapse
As predicted by the independent F1 press before the season opener, the all-new 2026 era is rapidly descending into farce. A huge plunge in viewer numbers following the Japanese Grand Prix makes plain the fans are voting with their feet.
The fundamental architecture of the 50/50 power units was flawed from its inception. As Stefano Domenicali, F1 supremo, admitted in 2025, the resulting regulations were a “political” decision based on attracting more manufacturers into the sport.
Whilst the FIA working party on the next generation of F1 engines was formed in 2017, it was in 2020 that the first mention of the all-new 50/50 power unit was made. As the name suggests, the power contribution from the internal combustion engine would be 50%, as it would be from the battery.
F1 manufacturers mis-read the future of road cars
A bold new step into greater efficiency and the electrified future was the intention, yet increasing the current electrical output by three times was always going to be ambitious. For many auto manufacturers who did not believe in the coming of the EV revolution, hybrids would be the bulk of the future road cars they produced.
And whilst hybrids have become a transitional technology in the auto industry, they have significant disadvantages compared to either the internal combustion engine or full electric cars. They contain the bulk of both an internal combustion engine along with the weight of a battery and, given the average person is…CONTINUE TO READ THIS STORY
Thiago Treze is a Brazilian motorsport writer at TJ13 with a background in sports journalism and broadcast media, alongside an academic foundation in engineering with a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This combination of technical knowledge and editorial experience allows Thiago to approach Formula 1 from both a performance and narrative perspective.
At TJ13, Treze covers driver performance, career developments, and key storylines across the Formula 1 grid, while also analysing the technical factors that influence competitiveness. This includes aerodynamic development trends, simulation-driven design approaches, and the engineering decisions that shape race weekend outcomes.
His reporting bridges the gap between human performance and machine development, helping readers understand how driver execution and technical innovation interact in modern Formula 1. Coverage often connects on-track events with the underlying engineering philosophies that define each team’s approach.
With a global perspective shaped by both journalism and technical study, Thiago also focuses on Formula 1’s international reach and the different ways the sport is experienced across regions.
Treze has a particular interest in how Computational Fluid Dynamics and aerodynamic modelling contribute to car performance, offering accessible explanations of complex technical concepts within Formula 1.
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
