Ferrari F1 Faces Major Setback at Gedda Qualifying, Vasseur Expresses Disappointment Over Performance
The roar of disappointment echoes through the Ferrari F1 team as they struggle once again to make their mark in the world of Formula 1. Despite flashes of brilliance, the team finds themselves falling short of expectations, leaving Team Principal Frederic Vasseur frustrated and disheartened.
Qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Gedda saw Charles Leclerc clinching the fourth spot, while Lewis Hamilton lagged behind in seventh place, even being outperformed by the Williams of Carlos Sainz. Vasseur, in a post-Q3 interview with Sky, shed light on the challenges the SF-25 cars faced on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, revealing a significant loss of three-tenths of a second in just one corner.
Vasseur expressed his concerns, stating, “We are always hopeful of doing a better job, but from the beginning of the weekend, we are losing a lot of time in turn-1. I believe we are three tenths off the pole position, and we are losing three tenths just in turn-1.” The disappointment was palpable as Vasseur admitted the team’s struggles and emphasized the need to focus on the race and long-distance performance.
The difficulties extended to Lewis Hamilton, who seemed to be grappling with the challenges of finding balance on the track. Vasseur analyzed Hamilton’s performance, noting, “The story is completely different from last weekend. In Bahrain, Lewis had a good pace from the start, but this weekend everything was a bit more difficult for him in finding the balance.” The intricate nature of the circuit seemed to exacerbate Hamilton’s struggles, highlighting the importance of confidence in the car’s performance.
Vasseur addressed concerns about Hamilton’s adaptability, stating, “It’s not a matter of a learning curve but of balance. He needs to find the right setup for him from track to track, and so far, we are struggling to do so. We managed it two or three races ago, and I am sure we will do it again.”
As Ferrari F1 grapples with setbacks and struggles to find their footing among the elite in Formula 1, all eyes are on the team to see if they can overcome these challenges and emerge victorious once again.
