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 shielding the plank from put on and compelled Ferrari to make modifications to the ground. Throughout the typical press convention, the Staff 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 drawback
“The technical directive got here very late,” Fred Vasseur remarked when requested concerning the timing of the most recent FIA intervention. “We acquired it final Friday, per week earlier than qualifying. Nevertheless, this isn’t an excuse for at the moment; it’s a separate matter. The issue this weekend was tire administration, and it has nothing to do with that.” Essentially the most vital impression, nevertheless, involved the associated fee cap: “It closely affected the price range as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Staff Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “Throughout the race, we struggled rather a lot within the first stint however carried out effectively within the final one. This was true for us in addition to for others. It reveals we’re not removed from the goal, nevertheless 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. Nevertheless, 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 mixture of things—how a lot the motive force pushes, the compound, the setup… When you 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 additionally on the gasoline degree or the way you begin the stint. Originally of the race, Charles Leclerc tried to assault George Russell and suffered way more graining than within the subsequent stints, the place he was extra conservative. Nevertheless, whenever you’re on observe and racing opponents, discovering the suitable strategy is troublesome.”
Inner issues
“Graining primarily relies on the tempo you need to keep,” 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. Nevertheless, it’s true that within the final 4-5 laps of the primary stint, we misplaced about 10 seconds. On the similar 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 look ahead 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 similar 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 suppose so. Total, I consider Mercedes was the quickest. Possibly, with a distinct strategy to the weekend… However at the moment, with the positions we had on the grid, I don’t suppose we may have executed extra.”
He then downplayed the controversy over Carlos Sainz overtaking Charles Leclerc regardless of being instructed to carry place: “Originally of the stint, it’s important to handle rather a lot, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a troublesome scenario; we’ll discuss it.” Fred Vasseur, nevertheless, wasn’t involved concerning the remaining disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not anxious. It’s at all times the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback throughout the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the complete image, however they do anyway. We’ll talk about it, nevertheless 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 reasonably be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship continues to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t one of the best observe for us, however we’ve had robust weekends the place we nonetheless managed to do effectively. 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.”
“Throughout the season, there have been weekends once we have been essentially the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these have been simple. Typically, although, whenever you’re not at your greatest, it’s important to rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did at the moment. We most likely didn’t have one of the best 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 constantly preventing. He had an awesome 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 very good job. From a efficiency standpoint, I feel these are the toughest weekends. In our sport, the simplest scenario is whenever you obtain pole place, victory, and quickest lap, and when the automotive’s competitiveness is nice. It’s more durable for a driver to combat within the midfield each weekend. His efficiency has been unbelievable.”
The Frenchman expressed enthusiasm for this System 1 season, exhibiting 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 preventing for the title two races earlier than the top. This doesn’t occur usually, and it’ll most likely be even higher subsequent 12 months. Over the past two years, there’s been a convergence in efficiency, which is nice for System 1.”
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