Ferrari struggled to keep up with its competitors in Barcelona. The boss of Ferrari, Frederic Vasseur, has advised the team to remain “composed” as he attributed its lackluster speed in the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix to the characteristics of the track.
The Italian brand aimed to recover from a disastrous double retirement in Canada by implementing a significant upgrade package that was rushed through to Barcelona last weekend. However, Ferrari was unable to challenge its immediate rivals in any conditions, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz starting and finishing in fifth and sixth places.
Similar to the situation in China, Vasseur argues that Ferrari’s overall race performance in Spain was a result of not optimizing the SF-24 on a single lap and falling short by narrow margins. Vasseur remains unfazed by Ferrari’s recent decline, as he points out that the closer competition at the top means that the order is now dictated by circuit configurations.
“This implies that it is more influenced by the track layout, the tire compound, and the temperature, with a margin of plus or minus one or two-tenths. And since the group is extremely close, in the end, it determines the order in qualifying.”
“And then, on this type of track where overtaking is quite difficult, the qualifying classification almost determines the final race classification.”
“I am certain that if we start in P3 or P4, the opposite will be true in the final classification.”
“And if we need to make progress, honestly, I believe it is more due to our performance on Saturday rather than today.”
Vasseur denies that Ferrari has fallen to the fourth-fastest team, reiterating that the competitive landscape will continue to evolve throughout the season.
“Yesterday, we were five-thousands of a second behind the Mercedes,” he emphasized. “I think it’s just a gust of wind or something similar.”
“And they were 40 seconds behind us in Monaco two weeks ago. This means that, before drawing any conclusions like this, we need to remain calm.”
“We need to take each event as it comes. And I believe that next week, with a completely different format, different track surface, and different types of corners, we will have a different perspective.”
“Next week, the situation may change completely, whether it is in our favor or not. In Formula 1, nothing remains the same forever. Over the past decade, it is unlikely to find four consecutive events with four different drivers from four different teams securing pole position. This indicates that it is not entirely clear which driver or team is superior to the others.”
Vasseur dismissed the idea that performing well on a non-traditional track like Monaco and struggling on a conventional circuit should be seen as a cause for concern. When asked about Ferrari’s success at an outlier venue, he responded, “If we are achieving victories in Singapore, Baku, Monaco, and similar tracks, it is not a negative outcome. However, it should be noted that we have also been in the top four positions on multiple occasions.”
“It is premature to assert that there is a definitive order within the grid at present. The upcoming race will shed more light on this matter. It is possible that next week, the order will become evident. Nevertheless, this order may change again with the introduction of upgrades or modifications.”
“Furthermore, the nature of the car, its compatibility with high-speed corners or specific components, plays a significant role in its performance. It is not solely determined by the car’s potential when there are four teams within a two-tenths range.”
© 2024
The Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton conquered another victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix this Sunday. Hamilton, from the Mercedes team, led the race from start to finish, showcasing his skill and dominance on the tracks. With this win, the British driver increased his advantage in the overall standings and moved closer to his eighth world title.
The race was thrilling from the start, with Hamilton maintaining the lead and distancing himself from the other competitors. The Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished in second place, followed by Valtteri Bottas, also from Mercedes, in third. The battle between Hamilton and Verstappen promises to be intense throughout the season, with both drivers showing exceptional performance.
With the result of the Portuguese Grand Prix, Hamilton now has a 20-point advantage over Verstappen in the overall standings. The British driver is determined to win his eighth world title and become the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. His consistency and skill on the tracks make him the favorite to achieve this feat.
The next race will be the Spanish Grand Prix, which will take place in two weeks. Hamilton is confident and motivated to continue his winning streak and further increase his advantage in the overall standings. Verstappen, on the other hand, is determined to seek victory and reduce the gap to the championship leader.
The 2024 Formula 1 season is full of excitement and fierce competition. Fans are eager to see who will emerge as the winner at the end of the championship. Hamilton and Verstappen are the main protagonists in this battle and promise to provide great moments on the tracks. Don’t miss any detail, follow all the races and cheer for your favorite driver.
