On the finish of the 2024 Components 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Crimson Bull within the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers level to the Italian facet as McLaren’s main challenger, confirming what has been obvious on observe because the Italian Grand Prix originally of September. In simply two weekends, Ferrari has scored ninety-six factors in comparison with McLaren’s fifty, decreasing the hole between the 2 groups to twenty-nine factors. The Maranello staff can not cover, even when tam principal Frederic Vasseur would like the highlight to stay on the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris rivalry; Ferrari will compete for the Constructors’ Championship.
It gained’t be simple, as that is additionally very clear. Technically, McLaren stays a tricky opponent with a automotive that may deal with each kind of observe and situation, however the technical steadiness that has taken form because the summer season break has created a situation the place the whole bundle makes the distinction. The outcomes achieved by Ferrari between the US Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix aren’t attributable to a dominant automotive however fairly an aerodynamic bundle that has labored to perfection.
Throughout final Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris possible had the quickest automotive, however Carlos Sainz put all of it collectively, setting the stage for his victory twenty-four hours later on the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico Metropolis. The identical occurred on the Circuit of the Americas in Texas one week in the past, the place Charles Leclerc’s textbook begin (together with the now ordinary skirmishes between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris) created the proper circumstances to dominate the race. Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello staff now had a lot better management over varied conditions in comparison with the start of the 2024 Components 1 season, noting enhancements in pit stops and methods. The French supervisor acknowledged that whereas a powerful tempo from the automotive made the whole lot simpler, the staff had carried out properly total throughout the Mexican weekend.
Reflecting on the Singapore Grand Prix, the Scuderia’s staff principal recalled feeling annoyed on the flight again, sensing they’d left useful alternatives on the desk. He felt there had been potential to compete for pole place, and ranging from the entrance might have modified the result. Nevertheless, he additionally identified that aiming excessive required each a aggressive automotive and efficient weekend administration.
In Mexico Metropolis, Ferrari left 4 factors on the desk in its direct confrontation with McLaren, necessary factors that might have been gained if Charles Leclerc hadn’t made an error on the finish of the race exiting the Peraltada. Frederic Vasseur didn’t take properly the habits of some lapped drivers, which value the Monegasque a number of seconds throughout the a part of the Mexican Grand Prix when Lando Norris was simply 4 seconds behind the Ferrari man.
Frederic Vasseur famous that whereas an unfortunate lapping can happen, spending 5 corners behind a driver who sees blue flags isn’t merely unhealthy luck however fairly an error on the a part of the driving force failing to offer manner. He defined that Charles Leclerc misplaced each time and, extra critically, tire temperature in that section, which allowed Lando Norris to shut the hole.
All the pieces could make a distinction. Ferrari proper now has an excellent automotive but in addition two drivers who, by way of contribution to the staff, are undoubtedly probably the most in-form pair, and the shut contest between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris may also work within the Scuderia’s favor within the Constructors’ Championship battle. Frederic Vasseur doesn’t need to depart something to likelihood; Ferrari will head to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix and Las Vegas with the attention of contending for a the race victory and even the difficult Qatar circuit isn’t for use as an excuse.
The Ferrari staff principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not the most effective match for his or her automotive; nonetheless, he famous that predictions in Mexico had equally not anticipated them to contend for pole place. The French supervisor believed that the whole lot remained open and emphasised that performing properly throughout your complete weekend can be much more important in Qatar. Though unsure whether or not they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he burdened the significance of doing their utmost to attain the very best lead to that weekend as properly.
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