On the finish of the 2024 Components 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Crimson Bull within the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers level to the Italian aspect as McLaren’s main challenger, confirming what has been obvious on observe because the Italian Grand Prix in the beginning of September. In simply two weekends, Ferrari has scored ninety-six factors in comparison with McLaren’s fifty, decreasing the hole between the 2 groups to twenty-nine factors. The Maranello crew can not disguise, even when tam principal Frederic Vasseur would favor the highlight to stay on the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris rivalry; Ferrari will compete for the Constructors’ Championship.
It gained’t be simple, as that is additionally very clear. Technically, McLaren stays a troublesome opponent with a automobile that may deal with each sort of observe and situation, however the technical stability that has taken form because the summer time break has created a state of affairs the place the entire package deal makes the distinction. The outcomes achieved by Ferrari between the US Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix aren’t on account of a dominant automobile however fairly an aerodynamic package deal that has labored to perfection.
Throughout final Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris doubtless had the quickest automobile, however Carlos Sainz put all of it collectively, setting the stage for his victory twenty-four hours later on the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico Metropolis. The identical occurred on the Circuit of the Americas in Texas one week in the past, the place Charles Leclerc’s textbook begin (together with the now recurring skirmishes between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris) created the proper situations to dominate the race. Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello crew now had a lot better management over numerous conditions in comparison with the start of the 2024 Components 1 season, noting enhancements in pit stops and methods. The French supervisor acknowledged that whereas a powerful tempo from the automobile made every little thing simpler, the crew had carried out effectively general through the Mexican weekend.
Reflecting on the Singapore Grand Prix, the Scuderia’s crew principal recalled feeling pissed off on the flight again, sensing they’d left priceless alternatives on the desk. He felt there had been potential to compete for pole place, and ranging from the entrance might have modified the result. Nonetheless, he additionally identified that aiming excessive required each a aggressive automobile and efficient weekend administration.
In Mexico Metropolis, Ferrari left 4 factors on the desk in its direct confrontation with McLaren, essential factors that may have been gained if Charles Leclerc hadn’t made an error on the finish of the race exiting the Peraltada. Frederic Vasseur didn’t take effectively the habits of some lapped drivers, which value the Monegasque a number of seconds through the a part of the Mexican Grand Prix when Lando Norris was simply 4 seconds behind the Ferrari man.
Frederic Vasseur famous that whereas an unfortunate lapping can happen, spending 5 corners behind a driver who sees blue flags just isn’t merely dangerous luck however fairly an error on the a part of the motive force failing to present means. He defined that Charles Leclerc misplaced each time and, extra critically, tire temperature in that section, which allowed Lando Norris to shut the hole.
The whole lot could make a distinction. Ferrari proper now has a superb automobile but in addition two drivers who, by way of contribution to the crew, are undoubtedly essentially the most in-form pair, and the shut contest between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris may also work within the Scuderia’s favor within the Constructors’ Championship battle. Frederic Vasseur doesn’t need to go away something to probability; Ferrari will head to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix and Las Vegas with the attention of contending for a the race victory and even the difficult Qatar circuit just isn’t for use as an excuse.
The Ferrari crew principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not the very best match for his or her automobile; nevertheless, he famous that predictions in Mexico had equally not anticipated them to contend for pole place. The French supervisor believed that every little thing remained open and emphasised that performing effectively throughout the complete weekend can be much more essential in Qatar. Though unsure whether or not they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he careworn the significance of doing their utmost to attain the absolute best end in that weekend as effectively.
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