Ferrari endured a tough weekend in the Australian Grand Prix, with Fred Vasseur addressing the team’s decisions under wet conditions. The Scuderia’s team principal did not hide his disappointment, admitting that expectations were higher for Melbourne. Now, the focus shifts to Shanghai, where an immediate improvement is needed.
Nothing seemed to go right. The season opener felt like a waking nightmare for Maranello. The SF-25’s balance, which looked promising on Friday, mysteriously disappeared by Saturday, likely due to questionable setup choices. In the race, Ferrari gambled on staying out when the rain returned—a decision that ultimately backfired.
Speaking to journalists, Frédéric Vasseur explained that the call to remain on track was based on conditions in sectors one and two, where the track was still relatively dry. Only the final sector was significantly wet at that point. The gamble was clear: staying on slicks in the hope that the rain would ease.
Did Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Know About the Heavy Rain?
Questions remain about the information relayed to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The Briton, in particular, expressed frustration over the radio, claiming he was not warned about the incoming downpour. Meanwhile, the pit wall reportedly informed Leclerc that a “class three” shower was approaching.
“It’s difficult to make these decisions—we don’t have a sensor that tells us exactly when it will rain,” Fred Vasseur explained. “Sometimes it comes down to intuition, analyzing what we see on screen, reading the radar, and adapting to conditions that change from corner to corner. We were all surprised by how much rain fell at that moment in the race.” – the French manager pointed out, as the Italian side now shifts focus to the Chinese GP.
“We debated whether to pit for intermediates or try to survive on track. We made the wrong choice.” – he concluded at the end of the Australian Grand Prix.
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