Following a powerful efficiency within the Qatar Grand Prix on the 5.419-kilometre Lusail Worldwide Circuit, Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur revealed that the Maranello staff’s technicians and engineers had instructed Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to prioritize tire administration within the early phases of the race to maximise the size of their first stint on medium tires..
Ferrari had anticipated a difficult weekend on the Lusail Worldwide Circuit, given its traits have been anticipated to reveal weaknesses within the SF24. Regardless of setbacks within the 19-lap dash race, Charles Leclerc capitalized on a late ten-second stop-and-go penalty for Lando Norris, clinching a powerful second-place end.
Carlos Sainz initially matched Charles Leclerc’s tempo however started to fall again as soon as the Monegasque driver elevated his pace. His race took a flip for the more severe when particles from a rear-view mirror struck by Valtteri Bottas triggered a puncture. The incident pressured Carlos Sainz right into a sluggish journey again to the pits, costing him essential time.
Though a second security automobile gave Carlos Sainz the prospect to shut the hole to the leaders, he finally completed in sixth place, unable to overhaul Pierre Gasly’s Alpine. Reflecting on the weekend, Frederic Vasseur expressed satisfaction with the staff’s general efficiency however lamented the misfortune that restricted Carlos Sainz’s outcomes. The Ferrari staff boss famous that with out the puncture, the Italian facet may have secured a fair stronger consequence within the penultimate spherical of the 2024 Components 1 marketing campaign.
“The race at the moment was a bit chaotic, however general, it was a great one for us: we executed it nicely, the tempo was there and I’m very happy with the job we did at the moment. It was in our plan that the drivers wouldn’t push too arduous for the primary laps with the intention to push extra in a while and we have been assured we had the tempo on the Laborious to push till the tip.” – the French supervisor identified – “We’ve some regrets, akin to Carlos’ puncture which got here on the very worst place, as he needed to drive a full lap earlier than pitting and it value us one or two positions.” – he added on the finish of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Regardless of the McLaren MCL38 automobiles showcasing superior tempo in comparison with the Ferrari SF24 on the Qatar Grand Prix, the Maranello staff succeeded in narrowing the deficit within the Constructors’ Championship to only 21 factors forward of the ultimate spherical of the 2024 Components 1 marketing campaign. Ferrari staff boss Frederic Vasseur expressed cautious optimism following the occasion, emphasizing the significance of consistency and strategic execution because the season edges nearer to its conclusion: “Crucial factor at the moment is that we scored extra factors than McLaren. We are actually 21 factors behind, with one race to go which implies every part is feasible. We’ve additionally elevated our lead over Purple Bull, which implies in Abu Dhabi we will focus extra on the staff in entrance of us. Now we go to Abu Dhabi, which on paper, must be a greater circuit for us and with Max and Mercedes on the tempo, you by no means know what may occur within the championship battle. We are going to push flat out to the ultimate chequered flag.” – the French supervisor added.