Source F1i.com
Fred Vasseur was pleased with his drivers’ comeback to secure a respectable points total around the streets of Singapore following a dismal qualifying session for Ferrari.
Ferrari faced a tumultuous weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix, which began with high hopes but quickly descended into disappointment during the qualifying session. The Italian team appeared to have the pace to challenge for the front row, but Carlos Sainz’s massive crash cast a shadow over their aspirations. This incident not only derailed Sainz’s qualifying but also had a ripple effect on his teammate Charles Leclerc, forcing both drivers to start from the ninth and tenth positions on the grid. Despite the challenging circumstances, the Scuderia showcased resilience during the race, ultimately finishing in fifth and seventh, with Leclerc emerging as the lead Ferrari driver.
After the race, Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur reflected on the mixed emotions of the weekend. He expressed satisfaction at finishing on a positive note, especially considering the frustrations stemming from Saturday’s poor qualifying performance. “The big emotion is it is always good to finish the weekend on a positive,” Vasseur said, noting that while the disappointing qualifying session added to the overall frustration, he preferred to take solace in a strong race over a poor performance across the board. “I’d rather have the frustration from a poor qualifying and a good race than a poor race, so it is okay it was like this.”
Ferrari’s performance in the race kept them in contention, maintaining a 34-point deficit to leaders Red Bull while McLaren continued to solidify their status as the team to beat. Vasseur highlighted the team’s competitive pace during the race, particularly in comparison to McLaren’s Lando Norris. “I don’t know if Lando was pushing the last 20 laps, but we were on the same pace, and that’s a positive for the weekend,” he remarked. The primary goal for Ferrari was not merely to match their rivals but to capitalize on the opportunity to score valuable points, which they successfully achieved.
With six races remaining in the season, including three Sprint events, Ferrari has ample opportunity to climb the standings. However, Vasseur stressed the importance of refining their Saturday strategies to enhance their qualifying performances. He noted that even during Q2, Ferrari was showing competitive pace, with P2 times suggesting potential for front-row starts. Unfortunately, the red flag in Q3 limited their qualifying efforts, which ultimately cost them crucial starting positions. “Even in Q2 we were P2, or something like this. But in Q3 we had one lap due to the red flag,” he explained, highlighting the fine margins that can make or break a qualifying session in Formula 1.
Vasseur was adamant that the team needed to maintain focus and consistency throughout the weekend. “I don’t want to blame anything or anyone; we need to be more focused to do a more consistent weekend,” he stated. He acknowledged that a small mistake in practice could lead to significant challenges in recovery, underlining the high stakes in each session. Nevertheless, he was pleased with the Sunday results, noting strong race pace and effective strategy and tire management.
As Ferrari prepares for the next race in Austin, Vasseur indicated that the team is looking to implement minor upgrades aimed at boosting performance. “We all know we have already started the development of next year’s car,” he shared. “We will try to have small upgrades on the next event; I think this will probably be the last one for everybody, for all the teams.” He recognized the tight competition among the top four teams, emphasizing that any incremental improvements could make a significant difference.
With the three-week break before the next race, Ferrari’s focus will be on harnessing the lessons learned from Singapore and optimizing their performance as they seek to close the gap on their rivals. The challenges of the remaining races promise to keep the battle for points fierce and the excitement palpable, as Ferrari aims to reclaim its status among the elite teams in Formula 1.
