On the finish of the 2024 Method 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Purple Bull within the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers level to the Italian facet as McLaren’s major challenger, confirming what has been obvious on monitor for the reason that Italian Grand Prix in the beginning of September. In simply two weekends, Ferrari has scored ninety-six factors in comparison with McLaren’s fifty, decreasing the hole between the 2 groups to twenty-nine factors. The Maranello crew can not conceal, even when tam principal Frederic Vasseur would like the highlight to stay on the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris rivalry; Ferrari will compete for the Constructors’ Championship.
It gained’t be simple, as that is additionally very clear. Technically, McLaren stays a troublesome opponent with a automotive that may deal with each kind of monitor and situation, however the technical steadiness that has taken form for the reason that summer time break has created a situation the place the entire package deal makes the distinction. The outcomes achieved by Ferrari between the USA Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix are usually not resulting from a dominant automotive however moderately an aerodynamic package deal that has labored to perfection.
Throughout final Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris probably had the quickest automotive, however Carlos Sainz put all of it collectively, setting the stage for his victory twenty-four hours later on the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico Metropolis. The identical occurred on the Circuit of the Americas in Texas one week in the past, the place Charles Leclerc’s textbook begin (together with the now recurring skirmishes between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris) created the proper circumstances to dominate the race. Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello crew now had a lot better management over varied conditions in comparison with the start of the 2024 Method 1 season, noting enhancements in pit stops and techniques. The French supervisor acknowledged that whereas a robust tempo from the automotive made every part simpler, the crew had carried out effectively total in the course of the Mexican weekend.
Reflecting on the Singapore Grand Prix, the Scuderia’s crew principal recalled feeling annoyed on the flight again, sensing they’d left beneficial alternatives on the desk. He felt there had been potential to compete for pole place, and ranging from the entrance might have modified the end result. Nonetheless, he additionally identified that aiming excessive required each a aggressive automotive and efficient weekend administration.
In Mexico Metropolis, Ferrari left 4 factors on the desk in its direct confrontation with McLaren, necessary factors that may have been gained if Charles Leclerc hadn’t made an error on the finish of the race exiting the Peraltada. Frederic Vasseur didn’t take effectively the habits of some lapped drivers, which value the Monegasque a number of seconds in the course of the a part of the Mexican Grand Prix when Lando Norris was simply 4 seconds behind the Ferrari man.
Frederic Vasseur famous that whereas an unfortunate lapping can happen, spending 5 corners behind a driver who sees blue flags shouldn’t be merely dangerous luck however moderately an error on the a part of the driving force failing to present approach. He defined that Charles Leclerc misplaced each time and, extra critically, tire temperature in that section, which allowed Lando Norris to shut the hole.
The whole lot could make a distinction. Ferrari proper now has a superb automotive but additionally two drivers who, by way of contribution to the crew, are undoubtedly essentially the most in-form pair, and the shut contest between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris may also work within the Scuderia’s favor within the Constructors’ Championship battle. Frederic Vasseur doesn’t wish to go away something to likelihood; Ferrari will head to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix and Las Vegas with the notice of contending for a the race victory and even the difficult Qatar circuit shouldn’t be for use as an excuse.
The Ferrari crew principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not the perfect match for his or her automotive; nevertheless, he famous that predictions in Mexico had equally not anticipated them to contend for pole place. The French supervisor believed that every part remained open and emphasised that performing effectively throughout your complete weekend could be much more essential in Qatar. Though unsure whether or not they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he confused the significance of doing their utmost to attain the very best end in that weekend as effectively.
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