Marcus Chan
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur was reportedly furious after being told of the team's setback ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
In less than two months, the new F1 campaign will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix, taking place around Albert Park in Melbourne.
Ferrari will be one of the teams seeking improvement after enduring a tough year in 2025.
Having finished 2024 in second place, the Scuderia were expected to challenge the likes of McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull for Grand Prix victories.
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However, Ferrari's challenger for 2025, the SF-25, proved problematic, with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggling to maximise the car's performance.
In the end, the Italian outfit finished in fourth place, scoring only seven podium finishes in 2025.
Looking ahead to 2026, it has been claimed that Ferrari have been hit with a setback.
According to Italian news outlet Top Speed, Ferrari's car for 2026, the SF-26, is ‘seriously behind schedule’.
It has been claimed that it might not be ready for the team's launch on January 23, which has been described as a 'disturbing' situation.
In addition, team boss Vasseur reportedly 'went berserk' when told of the setback.
It has been said that some within Ferrari are worried the car might not be ready for testing in Barcelona but the Scuderia are still expected to be there.
Speaking after last month's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Leclerc was asked whether he believes Ferrari could deliver a good car for the new campaign.
He said: "I do, and next year will be a crucial year.
"The whole team is hugely motivated for next year, because it’s such a big change, a huge opportunity to show what Ferrari is capable of. It’s now or never, so I really hope that we will start this new era on the right foot, because it’s important for the four years after."
Leclerc added: "By race six or seven, I think we’ll have a good idea of who are the teams that will be dominating for the four years after."