In Las Vegas, Ferrari conceded to Mercedes regardless of the SF-24 being the heavy favourite beforehand. Tires and temperatures, in accordance with Frederic Vasseur, have been extra of a problem than the technical directive issued simply days prior, which clarified the permitted practices for shielding the plank from put on and compelled Ferrari to make modifications to the ground. Through the traditional press convention, the Staff Principal additionally commented on the trade between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, whereas extending congratulations to Max Verstappen on securing his fourth world championship title.
A tire drawback
“The technical directive got here very late,” Fred Vasseur remarked when requested concerning the timing of the newest FIA intervention. “We obtained it final Friday, every week earlier than qualifying. Nonetheless, this isn’t an excuse for right now; it’s a separate matter. The issue this weekend was tire administration, and it has nothing to do with that.” Probably the most vital impression, nevertheless, involved the price cap: “It closely affected the funds as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Staff Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “Through the race, we struggled loads within the first stint however carried out properly within the final one. This was true for us in addition to for others. It exhibits we’re not removed from the goal, but it surely’s a matter of refinement. Additionally, the truth that nobody examined the exhausting tires and that medium tire simulations have been performed after three flying laps with graining already current put everybody in a troublesome spot. Nonetheless, it’s no excuse—Mercedes managed to do a greater job.”
The extreme graining skilled early within the race wasn’t solely because of the automotive’s design: “It’s a mix of things—how a lot the driving force pushes, the compound, the setup… For those who have a look at the second and third stints, even with out altering compounds, some groups had totally different performances. It doesn’t simply rely upon the automotive but in addition on the gas stage or the way you begin the stint. In the beginning of the race, Charles Leclerc tried to assault George Russell and suffered far more graining than within the subsequent stints, the place he was extra conservative. Nonetheless, if you’re on observe and racing opponents, discovering the best strategy is tough.”
Inside issues
“Graining primarily is determined by the tempo you need to keep,” Fred Vasseur continued. “Charles was behind Russell however then, sooner or later, tried to push and assault him. The identical factor occurred to Hamilton on the finish—it’s actually on the sting. It’s not a straightforward process. Nonetheless, it’s true that within the final 4-5 laps of the primary stint, we misplaced about 10 seconds. On the identical time, although, you may’t pit, since you’d find yourself within the midfield site visitors, having to overhaul everybody, which is what occurred with Sainz. You must look forward to others to cease first.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Staff Principal additionally defined the miscommunication with Carlos Sainz, who was known as to the pits for a second cease however then instructed to remain out: “At that second, we have been discussing the cease with Carlos and explaining to him that he would find yourself behind Yuki Tsunoda. He needed to pit; we needed to maintain him on observe, and on the identical time, we needed to swap positions. It was a bit chaotic.” When requested if a greater consequence was achievable, Fred Vasseur replied: “I don’t assume so. General, I consider Mercedes was the quickest. Possibly, with a special strategy to the weekend… However right now, with the positions we had on the grid, I don’t assume we may have completed extra.”
He then downplayed the controversy over Carlos Sainz overtaking Charles Leclerc regardless of being instructed to carry place: “In the beginning of the stint, you need to handle loads, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a tough scenario; we’ll speak about it.” Fred Vasseur, nevertheless, wasn’t involved concerning the last disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not nervous. It’s at all times the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback in the course of the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the complete image, however they do anyway. We’ll talk about it, but it surely’s not an issue.”
Championship nonetheless open
The Las Vegas consequence complicates Ferrari’s title hopes, however Fred Vasseur isn’t giving up: “I’d reasonably be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship remains to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t the perfect observe for us, however we’ve had robust weekends the place we nonetheless managed to do properly. We’ll do our greatest to place stress on McLaren for the ultimate race. This is essential as a result of something can occur within the final Grand Prix. We’ll push till the final nook of the final lap of the final race.”
“Through the season, there have been weekends once we have been probably the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these have been simple. Generally, although, if you’re not at your finest, you need to rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did right now. We in all probability didn’t have the perfect automotive, however we maximized our factors—12 greater than McLaren. It wasn’t a nasty weekend for us, even when we maybe anticipated extra. Mercedes, nevertheless, was aggressive and higher than us.”
Tribute to the champion
Las Vegas additionally marked Max Verstappen’s affirmation as world champion. Fred Vasseur’s feedback got here promptly: “I feel this 12 months Verstappen has been persistently combating. He had an amazing begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally received coming from behind. There have been robust weekends the place Purple Bull wasn’t the quickest, but he nonetheless managed to attain essential factors and do a superb job. From a efficiency standpoint, I feel these are the toughest weekends. In our sport, the best scenario is if you obtain pole place, victory, and quickest lap, and when the automotive’s competitiveness is nice. It’s tougher for a driver to battle within the midfield each weekend. His efficiency has been unimaginable.”
The Frenchman expressed enthusiasm for this Method 1 season, displaying extra ardour than restraint as a Staff Principal: “I don’t recall a championship with 4 groups able to competing for victory and three groups combating for the title two races earlier than the top. This doesn’t occur usually, and it’ll in all probability be even higher subsequent 12 months. During the last two years, there’s been a convergence in efficiency, which is nice for Method 1.”
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