Ferrari secured its first podium of the season in Jeddah because of a powerful efficiency by Charles Leclerc. The race tempo of the quantity 16 SF-25 was convincing from begin to end, typically matching the occasions set by the McLaren automobiles and Max Verstappen’s Crimson Bull.
After the 50 laps and the rostrum ceremony, Ferrari staff principal Frédéric Vasseur spoke to Sky Sport F1 to touch upon the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from each angle so far as Ferrari’s weekend was involved.
In the present day Ferrari confirmed glorious race tempo. So the issue lies in qualifying, primarily?
“It’s clear that if we’re not one or two steps additional forward as we speak, it’s due to qualifying, as a result of within the race we had a really aggressive tempo. Charles was very robust. He managed the tyres for the primary 10 laps as a result of he was in soiled air and knew he must lengthen the stint. Then on the Laborious he had McLaren’s tempo. However as we’ve mentioned, we have to enhance in qualifying, be extra constant all through the weekend, and begin from a greater place.”
Is Leclerc not less than partially saving this begin to the season?
“It’s not about saving something, we have to work as a staff to maintain growing and enhancing. We now have weak factors and we all know they’re principally in qualifying, as a result of then within the race we’re at all times a bit stronger. We now have to do a greater job on Saturdays, nevertheless it’s a staff effort—it’s not one particular person saving the others. We’re all in the identical boat.”
The SF-25 appears to carry out effectively in quick sections and wrestle within the gradual ones. Is that the place you have to enhance?
“I’m unsure that’s the difficulty, as a result of as we speak we have been very constant in all varieties of corners. Yesterday we struggled so much in turns 1 and a couple of. In the present day as a substitute we have been the quickest. We have to speak with our drivers to grasp what was completed in another way in comparison with yesterday. Actually, the tempo was there all through the lap. Additionally, tyre preparation and administration are essential on the subject of one-lap struggles.”
Is it solely a tyre concern or have you ever discovered one thing within the setup as effectively?
“It’s at all times a matter of many elements, it’s by no means only one particular factor. Whenever you’re three tenths behind, it’s not only one factor that’s off, it’s a sequence of things. Efficiency comes from totally different parts and we have to seek for each tenth in each space, identical to we did final 12 months. We have been far off at the beginning of final season too, however then we caught up. This podium will assist push us ahead.”
It’s the second race the place you’ve scored extra factors than everybody—besides McLaren. How far off are you from what you anticipated at the beginning of the season?
“We’re behind McLaren by way of factors and it’s fairly a spot. In comparison with Crimson Bull and Mercedes, the issue was what occurred in China. However now we stay up for preserve working and pushing as a bunch. The outcomes will come.”
Do you continue to consider within the championship?
“I’m desirous about Miami. I feel it’s a mistake to give attention to the championship. We have to do what we did final 12 months—strategy it race by race to enhance. We all know the automobile has weak spots, it’s clear, now we have to be sincere. We have to make an sincere evaluation. We now have pretty clear concepts.”
What do you make of Lewis’ race?
“It was more durable for him, ending 30 seconds behind Charles. He struggled in the direction of the tip. He had a good second stint, however in soiled air he struggled. He’s having too many ups and downs—each him and the staff. We must be extra constant and do a greater job in FP3 forward of qualifying. I feel that’s the principle concern. We now have to be on it in each session, not simply within the race or in qualifying.”
Will you go all-in with updates in Miami?
“Miami will likely be troublesome as a result of there’ll solely be one apply session. It’ll be a Dash weekend. So we’ll solely have one hour of apply. We’ll most likely convey updates in Imola.”
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