Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur will miss Saturday’s Monaco Grand Prix after undergoing medical checks that keep him at a local facility.
Ferrari’s practice pace raises expectations
During Friday’s sessions the Scuderia’s SF‑26 showed strong low‑speed corner performance, securing a 1‑2 finish in both free‑practice 1 and free‑practice 2. Charles Leclerc recorded a lap of 1:13.978, beating Lewis Hamilton by 0.226 seconds in FP1, while Hamilton turned the tables in FP2, edging Leclerc by 0.111 seconds. Max Verstappen of Red Bull settled for third place in each practice, trailing Hamilton by just 0.168 seconds.
Mercedes has claimed victory in the first five races of the 2026 season, and many eyes are on Ferrari to halt that streak, especially after the dominant showing at the Monte‑Carlo circuit.
Medical absence shifts team leadership to Jerome d’Ambrosio
With Vasseur sidelined, deputy team principal and former F1 driver Jerome d’Ambrosio – appointed in October 2024 after a year at Mercedes – is expected to assume the boss’s duties for qualifying at 4 p.m. and the race later that day. Ferrari’s statement confirmed Vasseur will remain under observation and that no further medical details will be released.
Vasseur previously cautioned against speculation, saying “I don’t care about this kind of approach or rumours that we have to do the job,” and emphasizing the need to anticipate track evolution and stay a session ahead.
Drivers gauge competition ahead of qualifying
Leclerc, recalling his 2024 victory in Monaco, noted the narrow margins: “Red Bull and Max were very close to us in FP2. I expect them to be strong, and I also expect McLaren and Mercedes to be very close once they put everything together in qualifying.” He added that a tight qualifying session was likely.
Hamilton’s earlier pace and Verstappen’s proximity underline the challenge for the Ferraris, who must translate practice speed into qualifying performance on a circuit where grip levels shift rapidly.
As the team navigates Vasseur’s medical situation and prepares for a crucial qualifying, the next few hours will reveal whether Ferrari can convert its practice dominance into a podium finish and disrupt Mercedes’ early‑season dominance.
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