In Las Vegas, Ferrari conceded to Mercedes regardless of the SF-24 being the heavy favourite beforehand. Tires and temperatures, in accordance with 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 ordinary press convention, the Workforce 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 obtained it final Friday, every week earlier than qualifying. Nonetheless, 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 important impression, nevertheless, involved the fee cap: “It closely affected the finances as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Workforce 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 exhibits we’re not removed from the goal, nevertheless it’s a matter of refinement. Additionally, the truth that nobody examined the exhausting tires and that medium tire simulations have been performed 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 automotive’s design: “It’s a mix of things—how a lot the driving force pushes, the compound, the setup… When you take a look at the second and third stints, even with out altering compounds, some groups had completely different performances. It doesn’t simply rely upon the automotive but additionally on the gas stage or the way you begin the stint. In the beginning 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, while you’re on observe and racing rivals, discovering the fitting method is tough.”
Inside issues
“Graining primarily depends upon the tempo you need to preserve,” Fred Vasseur continued. “Charles was behind Russell however then, sooner or later, 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 process. Nonetheless, it’s true that within the final 4-5 laps of the primary stint, we misplaced about 10 seconds. On the identical 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. It’s important to look ahead to others to cease first.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Workforce 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 wished to pit; we wished to maintain him on observe, and on the identical time, we needed to swap positions. It was a bit chaotic.” When requested if a greater consequence was achievable, Fred Vasseur replied: “I don’t suppose so. Total, I consider Mercedes was the quickest. Perhaps, with a distinct method to the weekend… However at the moment, 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: “In the beginning of the stint, you need to handle rather a lot, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a tough state of affairs; we’ll speak about it.” Fred Vasseur, nevertheless, wasn’t involved concerning the closing disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not frightened. It’s at all times the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback through the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the complete image, however they do anyway. We’ll focus on it, nevertheless it’s not an issue.”
Championship nonetheless open
The Las Vegas consequence complicates Ferrari’s title hopes, however Fred Vasseur isn’t giving up: “I’d quite be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship remains to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t one of the best observe for us, however we’ve had powerful 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 probably the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these have been straightforward. Generally, although, while you’re not at your finest, you need to rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did at the moment. We in all probability didn’t have one of the best automotive, however we maximized our factors—12 greater than McLaren. It wasn’t a foul 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 yr Verstappen has been constantly combating. He had a fantastic begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally gained coming from behind. There have been powerful weekends the place Purple Bull wasn’t the quickest, but he nonetheless managed to attain essential factors and do a superb job. From a efficiency standpoint, I feel these are the toughest weekends. In our sport, the best state of affairs is while you obtain pole place, victory, and quickest lap, and when the automotive’s competitiveness is sweet. It’s tougher for a driver to struggle within the midfield each weekend. His efficiency has been unbelievable.”
The Frenchman expressed enthusiasm for this Method 1 season, exhibiting extra ardour than restraint as a Workforce 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 in all probability be even higher subsequent yr. Over the past two years, there’s been a convergence in efficiency, which is sweet for Method 1.”
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