On the finish of the 2024 Formulation 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Purple Bull within the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers level to the Italian facet as McLaren’s major challenger, confirming what has been obvious on monitor because the Italian Grand Prix at the start 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 favor the highlight to stay on the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris rivalry; Ferrari will compete for the Constructors’ Championship.
It gained’t be straightforward, as that is additionally very clear. Technically, McLaren stays a tricky opponent with a automotive that may deal with each kind of monitor and situation, however the technical stability that has taken form because the summer time break has created a state of affairs the place the whole bundle makes the distinction. The outcomes achieved by Ferrari between the US Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix will not be because of a dominant automotive however moderately an aerodynamic bundle that has labored to perfection.
Throughout final Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris possible 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 ordinary skirmishes between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris) created the proper circumstances to dominate the race. Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello workforce now had significantly better management over numerous conditions in comparison with the start of the 2024 Formulation 1 season, noting enhancements in pit stops and techniques. The French supervisor acknowledged that whereas a robust tempo from the automotive made all the things simpler, the workforce had carried out properly total throughout 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 beneficial 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, vital 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 habits of some lapped drivers, which price the Monegasque a number of seconds throughout 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 just isn’t merely dangerous luck however moderately an error on the a part of the driving force failing to offer means. He defined that Charles Leclerc misplaced each time and, extra critically, tire temperature in that section, which allowed Lando Norris to shut the hole.
All the things could make a distinction. Ferrari proper now has automotive but additionally two drivers who, when it comes to contribution to the workforce, are undoubtedly probably 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 need to go away something to likelihood; 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 just isn’t for use as an excuse.
The Ferrari workforce principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not one of the best match for his or her automotive; nonetheless, he famous that predictions in Mexico had equally not anticipated them to contend for pole place. The French supervisor believed that all the things remained open and emphasised that performing properly throughout the whole weekend could be much more vital in Qatar. Though unsure whether or not they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he confused the significance of doing their utmost to realize the absolute best end in that weekend as properly.
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