Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has hit back at Mercedes driver George Russell by insisting \u201cenough is enough\u201d amid the row over this season\u2019s race starts.<\/p>\n
Among the new regulations for 2026 is a five-second \u2018pre-start\u2019 procedure which has been put in place to help drivers get off the line smoothly as they deal with the change in power units.<\/p>\n
Ferrari have had the most impressive starts of all 11 teams in the opening two races, with Lewis Hamilton going from third to first in China last Sunday.<\/p>\n
But championship leader Russell feels the rules still need to be altered \u2014 and even claimed Ferrari were being \u201ca bit silly\u201d and \u201cselfish\u201d for wanting to keep the regulations as they are.<\/p>\n
Now Ferrari chief Vasseur has responded to those comments by doubling down on the team\u2019s position.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe already changed massively the rule of the start with the five-second story.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne year ago, I went to the FIA. I raised the hand on the starting procedure to say \u2018guys it will be difficult\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reply was clear that we have to design the car fitting with the regulation and not to change the regulation fitting with the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe designed the car fitting with the regulation, the change of the five seconds, the blue light story, didn\u2019t help us at all, but I think at one stage enough is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
When pressed on whether he saw the matter as \u201ccase closed\u201d, he replied: \u201cFor me, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferrari have enjoyed a positive start to the season with third and fourth place finishes in both Melbourne and Shanghai.<\/p>\n
However, they still have a healthy gap to close to Mercedes \u2014 who will look to build on successive one-twos in Japan next weekend.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, reigning Constructors\u2019 Champions McLaren, who boast Oscar Piastri and 2025 Drivers\u2019 Champion Lando Norris, have endured a nightmare start to the season.<\/p>\n