On the finish of the 2024 Formulation 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Pink Bull within the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers level to the Italian aspect as McLaren’s main challenger, confirming what has been obvious on observe because the Italian Grand Prix at first 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 workforce can not disguise, 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 received’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 time break has created a state of affairs the place the entire package deal makes the distinction. The outcomes achieved by Ferrari between the US Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix usually are not as a result of a dominant automotive however slightly an aerodynamic package deal that has labored to perfection.
Throughout final Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris probably 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 recurring skirmishes between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris) created the proper situations to dominate the race. Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello workforce now had significantly better management over varied conditions in comparison with the start of the 2024 Formulation 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 workforce had carried out properly total in the course of the Mexican weekend.
Reflecting on the Singapore Grand Prix, the Scuderia’s workforce principal recalled feeling pissed off on the flight again, sensing that they had left worthwhile alternatives on the desk. He felt there had been potential to compete for pole place, and ranging from the entrance might have modified the end 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, essential factors that will 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 conduct of some lapped drivers, which value the Monegasque a number of seconds in the course of 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 shouldn’t be merely dangerous luck however slightly an error on the a part of the motive force failing to present approach. He defined that Charles Leclerc misplaced each time and, extra critically, tire temperature in that section, which allowed Lando Norris to shut the hole.
Every thing could make a distinction. Ferrari proper now has automotive but additionally two drivers who, by way of contribution to the workforce, are undoubtedly essentially the most in-form pair, and the shut contest between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris may additionally work within the Scuderia’s favor within the Constructors’ Championship battle. Frederic Vasseur doesn’t wish to depart something to probability; Ferrari will head to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix and Las Vegas with the notice of contending for a the race victory and even the difficult Qatar circuit shouldn’t be for use as an excuse.
The Ferrari workforce principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not the very best match for his or her automotive; nevertheless, 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 the complete weekend could be much more crucial in Qatar. Though unsure whether or not they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he harassed the significance of doing their utmost to attain the very best lead to that weekend as properly.
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