In a thrilling season that has seen the top teams locked in fierce battles, Ferrari’s strategic approach has quietly positioned them as legitimate title contenders after a second consecutive victory at the Mexico Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur, revealed that being “under the radar” in the championship battle has worked to their advantage, allowing the team to keep their focus purely on performance.
With Carlos Sainz’s dominant drive in Mexico and a recent 1-2 finish in the United States, Ferrari has risen to second in the Constructors’ standings, overtaking Red Bull and establishing itself as McLaren’s closest competitor. Now just 29 points behind McLaren with four rounds left, Ferrari’s upward trajectory has thrown a wrench into what looked like a McLaren-Red Bull showdown for the title.
Ferrari’s Strategy: Flying Low to Win Big
While the spotlight has been on title rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, whose controversial on-track clash became the main story from Mexico, Ferrari has been laser-focused on their own progress. Vasseur believes that avoiding the spotlight is Ferrari’s “perfect situation,” shielding the team from potential distractions and enabling them to concentrate solely on their car’s performance.
“As long as you’re all focused on Max and Norris, this is perfect for us,” Vasseur remarked. “You’re focusing on battles between Toto Wolff, Christian Horner, Zak Brown, Max, and Lando. For us, being under the radar allows us to be fully focused on our team and drivers.”
The Red Bull Struggle Fuels Ferrari’s Rise
Red Bull has experienced a drop in form, with car balance issues and Sergio Perez’s struggles hampering their title campaign. Ferrari’s momentum, meanwhile, is undeterred, with their recent upgrades paying off after an early-season slump triggered by a problematic update package. By late summer, Ferrari responded by recalibrating their approach, and Vasseur applauded the team’s ability to rebound quickly after that setback.
“Our reaction as a team was very good,” Vasseur said. “When we hit a rough patch in the UK and Spain, we recognized the need to take a step back. That probably cost us a couple of weekends in terms of pace, but the adjustment paid off, and we were back competing with the top teams by Spa and Budapest.”
Ferrari’s Methodical March Forward
As Vasseur emphasized, Ferrari’s success has come through maintaining focus on each race as it comes rather than worrying about long-term projections. This race-by-race approach has helped the team avoid the pressures that come with championship contention, giving them an edge as they inch closer to McLaren’s points lead.
“We’re focused on what we’re doing, on our car, and on our team management,” he explained. “Taking it one race at a time, without getting caught up in the bigger picture, has been effective.”
Keeping Up with the Top Teams in a Historic Season
Ferrari’s recent wins represent a historic turnaround, considering that just a few months ago, the team faced severe bouncing issues that threatened to take them out of contention. Now, with a fast and reliable car, Ferrari has found the performance needed to challenge for wins and revive their championship hopes.
The Italian team’s patience and methodical approach are proving invaluable, as they stay out of the limelight and let other teams fight the more public battles. With just a few races left, Ferrari’s approach could lead them to one of their best finishes in recent years, potentially even a championship win if the cards fall right.
As the season heads to its conclusion, all eyes may be on Verstappen and Norris, but Ferrari is positioning itself as the stealth contender ready to capitalize on every opportunity. In a season full of twists, Ferrari’s strategic calm might just carry them over the line.
