On the finish of the 2024 Method 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Pink Bull within the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers level to the Italian facet as McLaren’s main challenger, confirming what has been obvious on observe because the Italian Grand Prix initially 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 staff can now not cover, even when tam principal Frederic Vasseur would like the highlight to stay on the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris rivalry; Ferrari will compete for the Constructors’ Championship.
It gained’t be straightforward, as that is additionally very clear. Technically, McLaren stays a troublesome opponent with a automotive that may deal with each kind of observe and situation, however the technical stability that has taken form because the summer season break has created a state of affairs the place the whole bundle makes the distinction. The outcomes achieved by Ferrari between the USA Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix usually are not as a result of a dominant automotive however reasonably an aerodynamic bundle that has labored to perfection.
Throughout final Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris possible had the quickest automotive, 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 circumstances to dominate the race. Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello staff now had significantly better management over varied conditions in comparison with the start of the 2024 Method 1 season, noting enhancements in pit stops and methods. The French supervisor acknowledged that whereas a powerful tempo from the automotive made the whole lot simpler, the staff had carried out nicely general throughout the Mexican weekend.
Reflecting on the Singapore Grand Prix, the Scuderia’s staff principal recalled feeling pissed off on the flight again, sensing that they had left precious alternatives on the desk. He felt there had been potential to compete for pole place, and ranging from the entrance may have modified the result. Nonetheless, he additionally identified that aiming excessive required each a aggressive automotive and efficient weekend administration.
In Mexico Metropolis, Ferrari left 4 factors on the desk in its direct confrontation with McLaren, vital factors that will 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 nicely the habits of some lapped drivers, which price the Monegasque a number of seconds throughout 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 will not be merely unhealthy luck however reasonably an error on the a part of the driving force failing to provide approach. He defined that Charles Leclerc misplaced each time and, extra critically, tire temperature in that section, which allowed Lando Norris to shut the hole.
Every part could make a distinction. Ferrari proper now has automotive but additionally two drivers who, when it comes to contribution to the staff, are undoubtedly probably 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 wish to go away something to likelihood; Ferrari will head to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix and Las Vegas with the notice of contending for a the race victory and even the difficult Qatar circuit will not be for use as an excuse.
The Ferrari staff principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not the very best match for his or her automotive; nonetheless, he famous that predictions in Mexico had equally not anticipated them to contend for pole place. The French supervisor believed that the whole lot remained open and emphasised that performing nicely throughout all the weekend can be much more important in Qatar. Though unsure whether or not they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he confused the significance of doing their utmost to realize the very best end in that weekend as nicely.
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