In Las Vegas, Ferrari conceded to Mercedes regardless of the SF-24 being the heavy favourite beforehand. Tires and temperatures, in keeping with Frederic Vasseur, had 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 normal press convention, the Crew Principal additionally commented on the trade 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 in regards to the timing of the newest FIA intervention. “We acquired it final Friday, per week earlier than qualifying. Nonetheless, this isn’t an excuse for right this 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 influence, nevertheless, involved the associated fee cap: “It closely affected the finances as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Crew Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “Throughout the race, we struggled quite a bit within the first stint however carried out properly within the final one. This was true for us in addition to for others. It reveals we’re not removed from the goal, nevertheless it’s a matter of refinement. Additionally, the truth that nobody examined the laborious tires and that medium tire simulations had 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 because of the automobile’s design: “It’s a mixture of things—how a lot the driving force pushes, the compound, the setup… For those who have a look at the second and third stints, even with out altering compounds, some groups had totally different performances. It doesn’t simply rely on the automobile but in addition 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, if you’re on monitor and racing opponents, discovering the appropriate 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 job. Nonetheless, it’s true that within the final 4-5 laps of the primary stint, we misplaced about 10 seconds. On the similar time, although, you’ll be able to’t pit, since you’d find yourself within the midfield site 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 Crew Principal additionally defined the miscommunication with Carlos Sainz, who was referred to as to the pits for a second cease however then instructed to remain out: “At that second, we had been discussing the cease with Carlos and explaining to him that he would find yourself behind Yuki Tsunoda. He needed to pit; we needed to maintain him on monitor, and on the similar time, we needed to swap positions. It was a bit chaotic.” When requested if a greater outcome was achievable, Fred Vasseur replied: “I don’t suppose so. Total, I consider Mercedes was the quickest. Perhaps, with a unique method to the weekend… However right this moment, with the positions we had on the grid, I don’t suppose we may have finished 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 must handle quite a bit, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a tough state of affairs; we’ll discuss it.” Fred Vasseur, nevertheless, wasn’t involved in regards to the last disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not fearful. It’s all the time the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback throughout the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the complete image, however they do anyway. We’ll talk about it, nevertheless it’s not an issue.”
Championship nonetheless open
The Las Vegas outcome complicates Ferrari’s title hopes, however Fred Vasseur isn’t giving up: “I’d relatively 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 monitor for us, however we’ve had robust weekends the place we nonetheless managed to do properly. We’ll do our greatest to place strain 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 had been probably the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these had been simple. Typically, although, if you’re not at your finest, you must rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did right this moment. We in all probability didn’t have one of the best automobile, 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 persistently combating. He had an excellent begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally gained coming from behind. There have been robust weekends the place Purple Bull wasn’t the quickest, but he nonetheless managed to attain essential factors and do an excellent job. From a efficiency standpoint, I feel these are the toughest weekends. In our sport, the simplest state of affairs is if you obtain pole place, victory, and quickest lap, and when the automobile’s competitiveness is sweet. It’s tougher for a driver to struggle within the midfield each weekend. His efficiency has been unimaginable.”
The Frenchman expressed enthusiasm for this Components 1 season, exhibiting extra ardour than restraint as a Crew 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 typically, 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 Components 1.”
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