In Las Vegas, Ferrari conceded to Mercedes regardless of the SF-24 being the heavy favourite beforehand. Tires and temperatures, in response to Frederic Vasseur, have been extra of a difficulty than the technical directive issued simply days prior, which clarified the permitted practices for safeguarding the plank from put on and compelled Ferrari to make modifications to the ground. In the course of the common press convention, the Workforce Principal additionally commented on the alternate between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, whereas extending congratulations to Max Verstappen on securing his fourth world championship title.
A tire downside
“The technical directive got here very late,” Fred Vasseur remarked when requested in regards to the timing of the newest FIA intervention. “We acquired it final Friday, per week earlier than qualifying. Nonetheless, this isn’t an excuse for in the present day; it’s a separate matter. The issue this weekend was tire administration, and it has nothing to do with that.” Essentially the most vital influence, nonetheless, involved the associated fee cap: “It closely affected the funds as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Workforce Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “In the course of the race, we struggled so much within the first stint however carried out nicely within the final one. This was true for us in addition to for others. It exhibits we’re not removed from the goal, however it’s a matter of refinement. Additionally, the truth that nobody examined the arduous tires and that medium tire simulations have been carried out 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 as a result of automotive’s design: “It’s a mixture of things—how a lot the motive force pushes, the compound, the setup… For those who take a look at the second and third stints, even with out altering compounds, some groups had completely different performances. It doesn’t simply rely upon the automotive but additionally on the gas stage or the way you begin the stint. At first of the race, Charles Leclerc tried to assault George Russell and suffered rather more graining than within the subsequent stints, the place he was extra conservative. Nonetheless, whenever you’re on monitor and racing opponents, discovering the appropriate method is tough.”
Inner issues
“Graining primarily is dependent upon the tempo you need to preserve,” Fred Vasseur continued. “Charles was behind Russell however then, in some unspecified time in the future, 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 activity. 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. It’s a must to await others to cease first.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Workforce 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 monitor, and on the identical time, we needed to swap positions. It was a bit chaotic.” When requested if a greater outcome was achievable, Fred Vasseur replied: “I don’t assume so. Total, I consider Mercedes was the quickest. Possibly, with a unique method to the weekend… However in the present day, with the positions we had on the grid, I don’t assume we may have finished extra.”
He then downplayed the controversy over Carlos Sainz overtaking Charles Leclerc regardless of being instructed to carry place: “At first of the stint, it’s a must to handle so much, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a tough state of affairs; we’ll speak about it.” Fred Vasseur, nonetheless, wasn’t involved in regards to the last disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not nervous. It’s at all times the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback through the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the complete image, however they do anyway. We’ll focus on it, however it’s not an issue.”
Championship nonetheless open
The Las Vegas outcome complicates Ferrari’s title hopes, however Fred Vasseur isn’t giving up: “I’d slightly be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship remains to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t one of the best monitor for us, however we’ve had powerful weekends the place we nonetheless managed to do nicely. We’ll do our greatest to place strain 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.”
“In the course of the season, there have been weekends after we have been probably the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these have been straightforward. Generally, although, whenever you’re not at your finest, it’s a must to rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did in the present day. We in all probability didn’t have one of the best automotive, however we maximized our factors—12 greater than McLaren. It wasn’t a foul weekend for us, even when we maybe anticipated extra. Mercedes, nonetheless, 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 believe this 12 months Verstappen has been persistently combating. He had a fantastic begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally received coming from behind. There have been powerful weekends the place Purple Bull wasn’t the quickest, but he nonetheless managed to attain essential factors and do a very good job. From a efficiency standpoint, I believe these are the toughest weekends. In our sport, the best state of affairs is whenever you obtain pole place, victory, and quickest lap, and when the automotive’s competitiveness is sweet. It’s more durable for a driver to struggle within the midfield each weekend. His efficiency has been unbelievable.”
The Frenchman expressed enthusiasm for this Method 1 season, exhibiting extra ardour than restraint as a Workforce 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 tip. 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 sweet for Method 1.”
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