Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, after the weekend at the 5.451-kilometre Shanghai International Circuit in China and ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, wanted to clarify and reiterate to Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz that a behavior like that seen at the Chinese Grand Prix will no longer be tolerated.
Following the Chinese Grand Prix, Fred Vasseur, in TV statements, initially downplayed the actions of the two drivers at the start, particularly Charles Leclerc’s, who lost two positions while focusing on defending against his Maranello teammate, with both drivers eventually having a poor start: “At the start, it’s a jungle, no drama for the duel between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.” However, the Team Principal, already in the post-race meeting, used different terms and reiterated that such behavior would no longer be tolerated.
Fred Vasseur’s words were strong; without specifically saying any names or citing specific incidents, he firmly clarified that Ferrari’s drivers race for Ferrari, not for their personal gain. The Team Principal also emphasized that it shouldn’t be necessary to repeat similar observations for the remaining races on the 2024 Formula 1 calendar but that any behavior not in line with what was stated could result in disciplinary action, especially if it leads to a loss of points for the Scuderia Ferrari team.
The battle for second place in the constructors’ championship is wide open, and it’s crucial to maximize every opportunity for points, whether it’s the Saturday Sprint races or the traditional ones held on Sundays.
The focus now shifts to the sixth round of the 2024 Formula 1 championship. The series heads to America for the first of its events in the United States, precisely in Miami at the semi-permanent circuit built around the Hard Rock Stadium. After the Chinese GP, the field’s dynamics have been reshuffled. Red Bull remains the car to beat with a driver pair that continues to perform at the top. However, the chasing team has changed, with McLaren seeming to have made a small step forward in performance. It was a tough race for Scuderia Ferrari, which with both SF-24s remained off the podium after four consecutive appearances at the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Mercedes still faces a complex weekend, with a difficult-to-read W15 that could be an easy target for Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin also at the Miami International Autodrome in Florida.
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