Ferrari, Mercedes trade upgrade claims

Autosport reports Ferrari’s update push has prompted debate with Mercedes, while Fred Vasseur continues to play down early title talk.

Ferrari’s development direction is under scrutiny, with Autosport reporting that the team has introduced updates aggressively through the first eight rounds of the 2026 season. The same outlet reported that Ferrari’s package in Spain helped Lewis Hamilton take his first win for the team in Barcelona, while team principal Fred Vasseur has resisted talking up the Scuderia’s championship chances because results have fluctuated.

Autosport also reported that Vasseur responded sharply after Toto Wolff questioned Ferrari’s steady flow of upgrades, with the Ferrari boss taking the remarks as an allegation of rule-bending. In separate Autosport reporting, Charles Leclerc was said to have changed his steering wheel software settings after set-up changes left him searching for confidence in the SF-26, and Ferrari was reported to be wary that its gap to Mercedes could appear larger at circuits such as Silverstone and Spa.

Ferrari remains Formula 1’s longest-running constructor, with 250 wins and 16 constructors’ titles across 77 seasons. Mercedes has 138 wins and eight titles, which adds weight to the current debate over whether either team’s upgrade path can deliver more consistent pace over the rest of 2026.