Ferrari as soon as once more missed out on the rostrum in Bahrain – a end result that appeared inside attain till the Security Automobile nullified the strategic benefit constructed as much as that time. Fred Vasseur defended the choice to suit arduous tyres throughout these moments, quite than the softs which turned out to be simpler on George Russell’s Mercedes. The Crew Principal additionally expressed his help for Lewis Hamilton, acknowledging the difficulties he’s dealing with in adapting to the Ferrari.
The reasoning behind the technique
“We had no alternative between the arduous or used comfortable underneath the Security Automobile, not less than from our perspective,” Fred Vasseur defined, placing into context the choice to suit the arduous compound, which later proved underwhelming. “I believe even Russell at one level thought of it very bold to go for twenty-four laps, however in the long run it paid off. The observe was a bit cooler and extra rubbered in.” The Crew Principal additionally defended the workforce’s total strategy to the race: “I believe the preliminary technique was good. Within the first stint we paid the value, having to stretch it a bit, however then the tempo was actually robust and it may have been a fantastic race if not for the Security Automobile. However we will’t complain, that’s a part of the sport.”
“With out the Security Automobile, we may have chosen between the comfortable and arduous for the ultimate stint, however with the neutralisation and 24 laps remaining, the comfortable was not an choice for us. The entire race was a bit chaotic when it comes to technique. There are races the place 90% of the grid does precisely the identical factor, and others the place it’s not like that. Antonelli had fitted the softs earlier than the Security Automobile, which means he would have needed to do three stops. We’re nonetheless taking our first steps with these compounds, I believe we’re all nonetheless flying a bit blind. That’s a part of the sport, and I believe McLaren is by far the very best on this.”
Assist for Lewis
Fred Vasseur then turned to Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing adaptation struggles: “I perceive his frustration on Saturday night. For those who have a look at the free observe classes, Q1 and Q2, he was at all times a few tenth off Charles. Then in Q3 his first lap was deleted, and within the second he made a mistake. That’s irritating, for each him and us. However on Sunday he fought again nicely to complete fifth. His race tempo was practically on par with the highest three. For me, that was high quality – he was very aggressive. These days, although, in case you go away 2 or 3 tenths on the desk in qualifying due to a mistake, you lose 6 or 7 positions.”
The Frenchman urges persistence earlier than judging Lewis Hamilton’s integration at Ferrari: “You don’t change 12 years of collaboration in 2 weeks or 2 races. We undoubtedly want to enhance, however that applies to everybody within the workforce and within the paddock – it’s within the DNA of our sport. It’s good that Lewis has the mindset of wanting to enhance and adapt to the automobile. We’ll work to adapt the automobile to him, however he additionally has to take a step. I believe we’re doing all this in a really constructive approach collectively.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“I preferred that he was a bit down on Saturday. For those who qualify eighth and say ‘it’s a disgrace’, it means you’re disillusioned – as a result of the entire weekend had been going significantly better. […] I appreciated his response on Saturday. I did my greatest to push him, and on Sunday he was in nice form. We’ll choose up from there subsequent week.”
Looking forward to upcoming races
Regardless of encouraging indicators when it comes to race tempo, Bahrain confirmed the boundaries of the SF-25: “For those who have a look at the season common, I believe we’re lacking 2, 3 or 4 tenths. We’re missing one thing. We’ve got to maintain working. Aerodynamic load is a part of that hole.” The important thing, in keeping with Fred Vasseur, shall be to maintain a degree head: “We have to keep calm. We’ve got highs and lows, like everybody. The issue is that for us the highs are increased, and the lows simply as low. If we wish to keep a constant strategy – as we’ve performed very nicely over the past 2 years – we’ve to remain calm and enhance hundredth by hundredth. I’m satisfied we’ll do the identical good work we’ve performed over the previous 2 years.”
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