Ferrari secured its first podium of the season in Jeddah due to a robust efficiency by Charles Leclerc. The race tempo of the quantity 16 SF-25 was convincing from begin to end, usually matching the occasions set by the McLaren automobiles and Max Verstappen’s Purple 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.
At this time Ferrari confirmed wonderful 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 sturdy. He managed the tyres for the primary 10 laps as a result of he was in soiled air and knew he must prolong the stint. Then on the Arduous 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 no less than partially saving this begin to the season?
“It’s not about saving something, we have to work as a staff to maintain creating and enhancing. We’ve got weak factors and we all know they’re largely in qualifying, as a result of then within the race we’re all the time a bit stronger. We’ve got to do a greater job on Saturdays, nevertheless it’s a staff effort—it’s not one individual saving the others. We’re all in the identical boat.”
The SF-25 appears to carry out effectively in quick sections and battle within the sluggish ones. Is that the place it’s worthwhile to enhance?
“I’m undecided that’s the difficulty, as a result of as we speak we had been very constant in all varieties of corners. Yesterday we struggled lots in turns 1 and a couple of. At this time as a substitute we had been the quickest. We have to speak with our drivers to know what was finished otherwise in comparison with yesterday. Truthfully, the tempo was there all through the lap. Additionally, tyre preparation and administration are necessary in terms of one-lap struggles.”
Is it solely a tyre concern or have you ever discovered one thing within the setup as effectively?
“It’s all the time a matter of many components, it’s by no means only one particular factor. If 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 components and we have to seek for each tenth in each space, similar to we did final 12 months. We had 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 niche. In comparison with Purple Bull and Mercedes, the issue was what occurred in China. However now we look forward to maintain working and pushing as a bunch. The outcomes will come.”
Do you continue to imagine within the championship?
“I’m enthusiastic about Miami. I believe 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 automotive has weak spots, it’s clear, we have now to be trustworthy. We have to make an trustworthy evaluation. We’ve got pretty clear concepts.”
What do you make of Lewis’ race?
“It was more durable for him, ending 30 seconds behind Charles. He struggled in direction of the tip. He had an honest 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 believe that’s the principle concern. We’ve got 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 can be troublesome as a result of there’ll solely be one observe session. It’ll be a Dash weekend. So we’ll solely have one hour of observe. We’ll in all probability carry updates in Imola.”
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