Fred Vasseur explains strategy behind 2023 F1 Bahrain GP qualifying result

Qualifying for the 2023 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix gave a fairly clear response: Red Bull, especially with Max Verstappen, is in front. Scuderia Ferrari is chasing along with Aston Martin and Mercedes. And since the winter pre-season testing session and free practice provided better feedback on the flying lap than on the race pace, it is understandable how the Maranello team concentrated more on Sunday than on Saturday. This explains the plan to save a set of softs for Charles Leclerc, who got out of the SF-23 after the first (and only) fast run for pole position in Q3 at the Sakhir circuit: a strategy, as underlined by team principal Frederic Vasseur, studied together with his own driver in view of tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

Fred Vasseur’s comments
“Qualifying went smoothly. We didn’t know exactly what the ranking was between the teams due to the fuel load or the engine settings. Nobody had a clear picture, but we were first in Q1 and Q2, then we had a fight with Max in the first stint and we decided with Charles to keep a set of soft tires for tomorrow and I think it’s the right choice. Carlos was a little more on the limit, and with the first stint we used the second tire, but it’s still a good position, in the second row“, these were the words of the Maranello team principal in his interview for Sky Sport F1 after qualifying – “We know that points are taken on Sunday, the championship is not won with poles and it is therefore important to prepare for the GP. We saw that in Bahrain you can use a new set of tyres, we wouldn’t do the same thing in Monaco, so we focus on the race and the team did a good job.” – the French manager added.

Strategy for Sunday’s race
“Clearly it’s not easy to tell drivers to sacrifice the fight for pole position, but we had discussed it before and we knew there could be this kind of situation, but we chose with Charles and with the team. I have some expectations for tomorrow, although it’s hard to know because you don’t know the fuel levels of others or the engine mappings. We know that in the past we have suffered from degradation and for this reason we have decided to be more cautious with a new set, but the season won’t end tomorrow night and we must keep the same approach, keeping concentration and trying to do better.” – Fred Vasseur explained.

“In the winter tests, the big problem was linked to the temperatures between the morning and the afternoon, as there are 30° differences in track temperature, so it’s difficult to explain the problems with Carlos. Yesterday, for various reasons, he tried something that wasn’t ideal, but the team is doing a good job and we are there on the second row. We have a new set up with two motivated drivers, Carlos was first in Q1 and did a good job. We had agreed to focus on the race beforehand and we haven’t changed our plan. We know that degradation is a problem and we have to focus on our program, not fight someone else, we have to understand where we are and the result will come. I don’t expect to finish 8th, but it’s difficult to have a clear picture for tomorrow, we will do our best but let’s start getting on the podium.” – the French manager concluded.