Fred Vasseur responds with "enough is enough" to calls to change Formula 1 race start procedure

That was the job of the MGU-H back in 2025, but with that component removed from the new power units, drivers have to sit on the grid revving the engines for some time until there is enough boost to get going especially since the electric motor does not kick un until the car reaches a speed of 50kph.

With a grid of 22 cars, the new requirement to launch the car meant the cars behind do not have enough time to rev their engines enough so what is called a "pre-start" has been introduced which is basically a five-second gap to allow the drivers to develop enough boost in their turbos.

However, aside from Ferrari who have designed their power unit with a smaller turbo easier to spool, all other teams have either struggled with starts or have been inconsistent.

The only consistent thing was Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc shooting into the lead from the second row or lower on the grid. Hamilton took the lead of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix from third on the grid.

Ferrari rivals are now calling for another change in the starting procedure, but the Italian team have blocked such a move with Mercedes driver and 2026 F1 Championship leader George Russell slamming them as selfish.

But Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has his own view on the matter claiming Ferrari foresaw the situation with the start and basically designed their power unit accordingly.

Vasseur said in Shanghai: "We already changed massively the rule of the start with the five-second story.

"One year ago, I went to the FIA," he revealed. "I raised the hand on the starting procedure to say 'guys it will be difficult'. The reply was clear that we have to design the car fitting with the regulation and not to change the regulation fitting with the car.

"We designed the car fitting with the regulation, the change of the five seconds, the blue light story, didn't help us at all, but I think at one stage enough is enough."

And when pushed whether the case was closed, the Frenchman responded: "For me, yes." (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)