The Italian team emerged victorious in two of the eight Formula 1 races held this season. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz each secured a victory, while Max Verstappen from Red Bull claimed five wins and Lando Norris from McLaren took the remaining one.
In response to Leclerc’s triumph in Monaco, team boss Frederic Vasseur emphasized its significance, stating: “I believe it was very important. For years, he carried the burden of winning in Monaco. Occasionally, he made minor mistakes similar to his time in F2 and sometimes faced unfavorable circumstances in F1… I believe this win will boost his self-confidence and positively impact his approach in future events.”
Vasseur also acknowledged the intense competition among at least three teams for the remainder of the season. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri from Australia secured second place in Monaco, followed by Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who previously emerged victorious in Australia in March, finishing in third place. Norris took fourth position, while Mercedes’ George Russell claimed fifth.
According to Vasseur, “I believe we now have a minimum of three teams capable of fighting for pole position and the win. Mercedes is not far behind either. This scenario is exciting and I hope it continues until the end of the season.”
Leclerc’s pole position in Monaco ended Max Verstappen’s streak of eight consecutive poles. The Red Bull driver, a three-time F1 champion, struggled with his car on the narrow and bumpy track.
Vasseur highlighted that Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren may find tracks that better suit their skills in the remaining 16 races. He emphasized the importance of his drivers seizing every opportunity, stating: “Last year, we wasted numerous points throughout the season. However, this year, we have made significant progress in this aspect. We have become more opportunistic and will continue to be so until the end of the season. However, the competition is fierce.”
Red Bull dominated last season, winning all races except one, with Verstappen taking 19 out of 22 victories. However, this year, the Dutch driver is facing much tougher competition.
Vasseur explained: “When you find yourself in a winning position, you pay more attention to details, leading to a snowball effect. This is part of the progress we have made in the last six or seven months and we must continue in this direction,” concluded the Frenchman, who took over as team principal in Maranello in January last year. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)
