Ferrari Team Principal Vasseur Reveals McLaren and Max Verstappen are 3 Tenths Faster per Lap
After the Japanese Grand Prix, Ferrari’s French manager, Fred Vasseur, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance. The race at Suzuka was a mixed bag for the Scuderia, with Charles Leclerc finishing a respectable fourth but Lewis Hamilton struggling to seventh place. Vasseur acknowledged the gap between Ferrari and their competitors, stating, “A 3 tenths gap per lap between us and McLaren and Max? Yes, I think that’s a fair assessment.”
Vasseur highlighted the need for improvements within the team, emphasizing that there is always room for betterment but recognizing the current state of affairs. Regarding Hamilton’s lackluster performance, Vasseur explained that the tire strategy played a significant role, with Hamilton unable to capitalize on softer tires compared to his rivals.
When addressing the issue of upgrades for the SF-25 car, Vasseur remained pragmatic, stating, “Before bringing upgrades and enhancing performance levels, we need to address the balance issues we faced in the last race by utilizing the best car we have today. Once we have maximized its potential, it will make sense to take a step forward.” Vasseur stressed the importance of taking it one race at a time and maximizing the current car’s capabilities before expecting a drastic turnaround.
The Ferrari team is gearing up for the upcoming challenges, with Vasseur confident in the team’s potential to extract more performance from the car in the races ahead. Stay tuned for the exciting developments as Ferrari works towards closing the gap with their competitors in the remaining races of the season.