In Las Vegas, Ferrari conceded to Mercedes regardless of the SF-24 being the heavy favourite beforehand. Tires and temperatures, in accordance with Frederic Vasseur, have been extra of a problem 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 common press convention, the Group 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 downside
“The technical directive got here very late,” Fred Vasseur remarked when requested in regards to the timing of the most recent FIA intervention. “We acquired it final Friday, every week earlier than qualifying. Nevertheless, 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.” Probably the most vital affect, nonetheless, involved the fee cap: “It closely affected the price range as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Group Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “Throughout 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 arduous tires and that medium tire simulations have been performed after three flying laps with graining already current put everybody in a tricky spot. Nevertheless, it’s no excuse—Mercedes managed to do a greater job.”
The extreme graining skilled early within the race wasn’t solely as a result of automotive’s design: “It’s a mixture of things—how a lot the motive force pushes, the compound, the setup… If you happen to 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 on the automotive but in addition on the gas stage or the way you begin the stint. At first 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. Nevertheless, whenever you’re on monitor and racing rivals, discovering the suitable method is tough.”
Inner issues
“Graining primarily is dependent 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. Nevertheless, 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 a must to anticipate others to cease first.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Group 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 have 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 consequence was achievable, Fred Vasseur replied: “I don’t assume so. General, 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 assume we might have performed extra.”
He then downplayed the controversy over Carlos Sainz overtaking Charles Leclerc regardless of being instructed to carry place: “At first 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 speak about it.” Fred Vasseur, nonetheless, wasn’t involved in regards to the closing disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not anxious. It’s all the time the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback in the course of the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the complete image, however they do anyway. We’ll talk about it, but it surely’s not an issue.”
Championship nonetheless open
The Las Vegas consequence complicates Ferrari’s title hopes, however Fred Vasseur isn’t giving up: “I’d quite be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship remains to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t the perfect monitor for us, however we’ve had robust weekends the place we nonetheless managed to do properly. We’ll do our greatest to place stress 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 have been essentially the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these have been simple. Typically, although, whenever you’re not at your finest, you must rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did right this moment. We most likely didn’t have the perfect automotive, 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 12 months Verstappen has been constantly combating. He had an ideal begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally received coming from behind. There have been robust weekends the place Pink Bull wasn’t the quickest, but he nonetheless managed to attain essential factors and do a great job. From a efficiency standpoint, I feel these are the toughest weekends. In our sport, the best scenario is whenever you obtain pole place, victory, and quickest lap, and when the automotive’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 System 1 season, exhibiting extra ardour than restraint as a Group 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 usually, and it’ll most likely be even higher subsequent 12 months. During the last two years, there’s been a convergence in efficiency, which is sweet for System 1.”
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