In the Mexican Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari confirmed the progress seen in recent races and since the summer break, the SF-24 has almost always been in contention for victory. The results are the result of development work but also a progress in the execution of the weekend by the team, as well as the contribution of the two drivers. Following the Mexican Grand Prix, Frederic Vasseur analyzed the ‘steps’ that have led the Maranello team to be competitive at high levels again, putting them back in the fight for the Constructors’ Championship.
Vasseur: “Frustrated in Singapore; Austin and Mexico were two well-executed weekends. Ferrari reacted well after Barcelona.”
Looking back on the season, the SF-24 had already shown promising responses, especially in races, suggesting it could fight for the Constructors’ Championship. However, the development program did not yield the expected results: in Imola, there was a first step forward, but with the updates in Barcelona, Vasseur’s team fell into the ‘bouncing’ trap and, by increasing downforce, lost balance and stability, ending up worsening its performance. “We struggled to accept reality after Barcelona, but we had to take a step back and lose something in the weekends in Spain, England… but it was the right choice. From Hungary to Spa, we became more competitive,” Fred Vasseur analyzed.
The Ferrari Team Principal did not hide that there were some doubts within the team about the true competitiveness of the SF-24 and how much of it was related to the type of circuits faced or a real step forward made by the car. “Our last important update was in Monza, a circuit with tight corners and long straights. Then came the street circuits of Baku and Singapore. We were waiting for Austin for conclusions, and it is evident that since Monza we are in a better situation than before,” Frederic Vasseur confirmed, encouraged by his team’s progress, certified by results from demanding tracks like Austin and Mexico. There are also motivations behind this improvement and Ferrari’s development plan. “Sometimes you need a few weekends to find the right setup with the updates, and that’s perhaps what happened to us. We are in a tight battle, and a tenth or two can make the difference.” – the French manager pointed out.
However, it’s not only pure performance that influences the final result, but also what is called ‘weekend execution,’ something Fred Vasseur has always focused on. “In Singapore, I was frustrated because I felt we could do better. Now, however, we’ve had two great weekends. During the season, we’ve also had times when we didn’t exploit our full potential. Having a better car helps; everything is simpler. Now we have everything under control: starts, strategy, pit stops.” This will be Ferrari’s main goal until the end of the season, even at events where the SF-24 might not show winning pace.
“Qatar, it’s true, is not our best circuit on paper, but let’s not draw hasty conclusions. We must do everything we can to maximize the result based on our potential.” As for the team’s approach, the Frenchman maintains his stance, preferring to continue thinking ‘race by race,’ not dwelling too much on the championship: “So far, it’s yielding results.” – the Ferrari team boss concluded.
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