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, had 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 standard press convention, the Crew Principal additionally commented on the change 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 newest FIA intervention. “We obtained it final Friday, per week earlier than qualifying. Nonetheless, this isn’t an excuse for right now; 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, nonetheless, involved the price cap: “It closely affected the price range as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Crew Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “In the course of 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, however it’s a matter of refinement. Additionally, the truth that nobody examined the arduous tires and that medium tire simulations had been carried out after three flying laps with graining already current put everybody in a tricky 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 automobile’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 automobile but in addition on the gasoline degree or the way you begin the stint. At the start of the race, Charles Leclerc tried to assault George Russell and suffered far more graining than within the subsequent stints, the place he was extra conservative. Nonetheless, once you’re on monitor and racing opponents, discovering the proper method is tough.”
Inside issues
“Graining primarily relies on 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 simple job. Nonetheless, 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’ll be able to’t pit, since you’d find yourself within the midfield visitors, having to overhaul everybody, which is what occurred with Sainz. You must watch for others to cease first.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Crew Principal additionally defined the miscommunication with Carlos Sainz, who was referred to as to the pits for a second cease however then instructed to remain out: “At that second, we had been discussing the cease with Carlos and explaining to him that he would find yourself behind Yuki Tsunoda. He wished to pit; we wished to maintain him on monitor, 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 imagine Mercedes was the quickest. Possibly, with a special method to the weekend… However right now, with the positions we had on the grid, I don’t suppose we may have performed extra.”
He then downplayed the controversy over Carlos Sainz overtaking Charles Leclerc regardless of being instructed to carry place: “At the start of the stint, you must handle rather a lot, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a tough scenario; we’ll discuss it.” Fred Vasseur, nonetheless, wasn’t involved concerning the last disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not apprehensive. It’s at all times the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback in the course of the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the total image, however they do anyway. We’ll talk about 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 moderately be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship remains to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t the perfect monitor for us, however we’ve had powerful weekends the place we nonetheless managed to do effectively. 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 once we had been essentially the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these had been simple. Generally, although, once you’re not at your greatest, you must rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did right now. We most likely didn’t have the perfect automobile, however we maximized our factors—12 greater than McLaren. It wasn’t a nasty 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 yr Verstappen has been persistently combating. He had an excellent begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally gained coming from behind. There have been powerful weekends the place Crimson 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 simplest scenario is once you obtain pole place, victory, and quickest lap, and when the automobile’s competitiveness is nice. 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 Formulation 1 season, exhibiting extra ardour than restraint as a Crew 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 top. This doesn’t occur usually, and it’ll most likely be even higher subsequent yr. Over the past two years, there’s been a convergence in efficiency, which is nice for Formulation 1.”
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