In Las Vegas, Ferrari conceded to Mercedes regardless of the SF-24 being the heavy favourite beforehand. Tires and temperatures, in response to 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. Through the common press convention, the Staff Principal additionally commented on the alternate between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, whereas extending congratulations to Max Verstappen on securing his fourth world championship title.
A tire downside
“The technical directive got here very late,” Fred Vasseur remarked when requested concerning the timing of the most recent FIA intervention. “We acquired it final Friday, every week earlier than qualifying. Nonetheless, this isn’t an excuse for at present; it’s a separate matter. The issue this weekend was tire administration, and it has nothing to do with that.” Essentially the most vital affect, nonetheless, involved the price cap: “It closely affected the finances as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Staff Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “Through the race, we struggled so much within the first stint however carried out properly within the final one. This was true for us in addition to for others. It exhibits we’re not removed from the goal, but it surely’s a matter of refinement. Additionally, the truth that nobody examined the laborious tires and that medium tire simulations had been carried out after three flying laps with graining already current put everybody in a troublesome 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 mix of things—how a lot the driving force pushes, the compound, the setup… When you take a look at the second and third stints, even with out altering compounds, some groups had totally different performances. It doesn’t simply rely upon the automobile but in addition on the gasoline degree or the way you begin the stint. At the start 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 observe and racing opponents, discovering the best method is tough.”
Inside issues
“Graining primarily depends upon the tempo you wish to preserve,” Fred Vasseur continued. “Charles was behind Russell however then, in some unspecified time in the future, 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 identical time, although, you possibly can’t pit, since you’d find yourself within the midfield visitors, having to overhaul everybody, which is what occurred with Sainz. It’s a must to await others to cease first.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Staff Principal additionally defined the miscommunication with Carlos Sainz, who was known 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 wished to pit; we wished to maintain him on observe, and on the identical time, we needed to swap positions. It was a bit chaotic.” When requested if a greater end result was achievable, Fred Vasseur replied: “I don’t suppose so. Total, I imagine Mercedes was the quickest. Perhaps, with a unique method to the weekend… However at present, with the positions we had on the grid, I don’t suppose we may have achieved extra.”
He then downplayed the controversy over Carlos Sainz overtaking Charles Leclerc regardless of being instructed to carry place: “At the start of the stint, you must handle so much, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a tough scenario; we’ll discuss it.” Fred Vasseur, nonetheless, wasn’t involved concerning the ultimate disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not apprehensive. It’s all the time the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback through the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the total image, however they do anyway. We’ll focus on it, but it surely’s not an issue.”
Championship nonetheless open
The Las Vegas end result complicates Ferrari’s title hopes, however Fred Vasseur isn’t giving up: “I’d reasonably be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship continues to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t the very best observe 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.”
“Through the season, there have been weekends after we had been essentially the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these had been simple. Typically, although, if you’re not at your greatest, you must rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did at present. We most likely didn’t have the very best automobile, however we maximized our factors—12 greater than McLaren. It wasn’t a nasty weekend for us, even when we maybe anticipated extra. Mercedes, nonetheless, 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 constantly preventing. He had a fantastic begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally gained coming from behind. There have been robust weekends the place Crimson Bull wasn’t the quickest, but he nonetheless managed to attain essential factors and do a superb job. From a efficiency standpoint, I feel these are the toughest weekends. In our sport, the simplest scenario 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 combat within the midfield each weekend. His efficiency has been unimaginable.”
The Frenchman expressed enthusiasm for this System 1 season, exhibiting extra ardour than restraint as a Staff Principal: “I don’t recall a championship with 4 groups able to competing for victory and three groups preventing for the title two races earlier than the tip. This doesn’t occur typically, and it’ll most likely be even higher subsequent yr. During the last two years, there’s been a convergence in efficiency, which is sweet for System 1.”
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