Ferrari Boss Declined to Name Red Bull Best Team
Fred Vasseur cited fluctuating car performance as the reason behind his refusal to name the top Formula 1 team.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Motorsports
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Ferrari principal Fred Vasseur has declined to label Red Bull as the best team in Formula 1. This assessment comes amid a competitive 2026 season where top teams are separated by narrow margins in qualifying.
Why it matters
Vasseur pointed to the inconsistent performance levels resulting from the varying upgrade strategies utilized by teams throughout the year. Understanding these performance shifts is essential to analyzing the current parity in the sport.
Red Bull currently trails McLaren by 7 points in the standings, while Max Verstappen maintains a streak of 5 consecutive podium finishes. Mercedes previously dominated the start of the season with victories in the opening 6 rounds.
The players
Fred Vasseur
He serves as the team principal for Ferrari and oversees the organization's strategic approach to the Formula 1 season.
Max Verstappen
He is a Formula 1 driver who recently secured victories in Malaysia and Singapore while maintaining a five-race podium streak.
Charles Leclerc
He is a Formula 1 driver who finished second at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton
He is a Formula 1 driver who finished sixth at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The details
Max Verstappen secured wins at both the Malaysia and Singapore grands prix, holding off Charles Leclerc at Turn 1 in Singapore to maintain control. While Red Bull introduced an upgrade package in Baku, qualifying results show four teams separated by less than two tenths of a second.
Timeline
The 2026 season covers the current Formula 1 calendar.
The Singapore Grand Prix took place on 2026-10-12.
Season Trajectory
This season reflects a departure from the early dominance established by the 2026 Mercedes six-race opening win streak. The current parity has tightened the championship battle, with four teams now closely matched in qualifying speed.
Red Bull is currently 7 points behind McLaren, meaning the outcome of the remaining 6 rounds will determine the final constructor standings. Max Verstappen's consistency is highlighted by his 5 consecutive podium finishes, a key factor for fans tracking season-long driver performance.
The takeaway
The lack of a single dominant force this year underscores how critical mid-season upgrade packages have become to team success. Fans should continue to monitor qualifying gaps, as they remain the most reliable indicator of competitive balance on race day.
Further reading
For more context on current performance trends, visit the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Motorsport.
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