Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is gearing up for a fierce fight in the final stretch of the 2024 Formula 1 season, with the Scuderia poised to challenge Red Bull and McLaren for the Constructors’ Championship. As the Italian Grand Prix at Monza approaches, Vasseur believes that the upgrades Ferrari plans to introduce could be the key to reigniting their championship hopes.
With McLaren steadily closing the gap on Red Bull, now just 30 points behind, Ferrari finds itself 34 points adrift of McLaren in third. Despite the fluctuating performance levels among the top teams this season, Vasseur remains optimistic that Ferrari can mount a serious challenge if the upcoming developments deliver as expected.
“I’m not focused on any one team; I’m focused on pushing our development to its limits and preparing for Monza as best as we can,” Vasseur emphasized. He pointed out the unpredictable nature of this season, citing past races where the balance of power has shifted dramatically from one weekend to the next. “At the start of the season, everyone thought Max would have the championship wrapped up early, but we’ve seen different teams rise to the occasion. Now, it’s McLaren’s turn, but I believe Ferrari will be back in the mix soon.”
Vasseur is keenly aware of the importance of maintaining a consistent approach, especially as the battle for the championship heats up. “We don’t need to predict where we’ll be in six races. The competition is fierce, with every team pushing hard and bringing upgrades as soon as they can. This week, it’s our turn, and we’ll keep fighting until the end.”
Highlighting the narrow points gap between Red Bull and Ferrari, Vasseur remarked, “60 points is just over what a single good weekend could yield. The gap is not insurmountable, and we’re prepared to close it.”
While Fernando Alonso has singled out Ferrari as the team to watch at Monza and Baku, Vasseur remains cautious. He acknowledges that the tracks could favor Ferrari, but with the field so tightly packed, nothing can be taken for granted. “I don’t need anyone to label us as favorites. Our approach remains the same: focus on the details. A small improvement of just one or two tenths can make a world of difference.”
As Ferrari prepares for the critical upcoming races, Vasseur is acutely aware of the challenges ahead. “We know we have a lot of work to do. We were far off Lando’s pace last time out, which means there’s still a significant gap to close. But we’re up for the challenge. We’ll head to Monza and Baku with our eyes wide open, ready for the fight.”
With nine races remaining, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season. Ferrari’s hopes rest on the success of their upcoming upgrades and their ability to capitalize on every opportunity to claw back points in the Constructors’ Championship.
