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, had 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 regular press convention, the Crew 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 drawback
“The technical directive got here very late,” Fred Vasseur remarked when requested in regards to the timing of the most recent FIA intervention. “We obtained it final Friday, every week earlier than qualifying. Nonetheless, this isn’t an excuse for immediately; it’s a separate matter. The issue this weekend was tire administration, and it has nothing to do with that.” Probably the most vital influence, nevertheless, involved the fee cap: “It closely affected the funds as a result of we needed to redo all of the skids.”
The Crew Principal then analyzed the Las Vegas race: “Throughout the race, we struggled quite a bit within the first stint however carried out nicely within the final one. This was true for us in addition to for others. It reveals we’re not removed from the goal, nevertheless it’s a matter of refinement. Additionally, the truth that nobody examined the arduous tires and that medium tire simulations had been performed after three flying laps with graining already current put everybody in a tricky 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 motive force pushes, the compound, the setup… In case you take a look at the second and third stints, even with out altering compounds, some groups had completely different performances. It doesn’t simply depend upon the automobile but additionally on the gas stage or the way you begin the stint. In the beginning 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 rivals, discovering the best method is troublesome.”
Inside issues
“Graining primarily is determined by the tempo you need to keep,” Fred Vasseur continued. “Charles was behind Russell however then, sooner or later, 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 may’t pit, since you’d find yourself within the midfield visitors, having to overhaul everybody, which is what occurred with Sainz. You need to watch for others to cease first.” – the French supervisor identified on the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Crew Principal additionally defined the miscommunication with Carlos Sainz, who was referred to 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 needed to pit; we needed 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 consider Mercedes was the quickest. Possibly, with a unique method to the weekend… However immediately, with the positions we had on the grid, I don’t suppose we may have carried out extra.”
He then downplayed the controversy over Carlos Sainz overtaking Charles Leclerc regardless of being instructed to carry place: “In the beginning of the stint, it’s important to handle quite a bit, whereas Carlos Sainz was already three or 4 laps into that tire. It was a troublesome scenario; we’ll discuss it.” Fred Vasseur, nevertheless, wasn’t involved in regards to the last disagreement between the 2 drivers: “I’m not apprehensive. It’s all the time the identical story—they shouldn’t make feedback throughout the in-lap as a result of they don’t have the complete image, however they do anyway. We’ll talk about it, nevertheless it’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 somewhat be 24 factors behind than 200. The championship continues to be open, and something can occur. On paper, Qatar isn’t the perfect observe for us, however we’ve had robust weekends the place we nonetheless managed to do nicely. 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.”
“Throughout the season, there have been weekends after we had been probably the most aggressive, and I’m not saying these had been simple. Typically, although, if you’re not at your finest, it’s important to rating extra factors than your rivals, and that’s what we did immediately. We most likely didn’t have the perfect automobile, however we maximized our factors—12 greater than McLaren. It wasn’t a foul weekend for us, even when we maybe anticipated extra. Mercedes, nevertheless, 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 persistently combating. He had a fantastic begin to the championship, securing pole positions and wins, however he additionally received coming from behind. There have been robust weekends the place Purple 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 more durable for a driver to battle within the midfield each weekend. His efficiency has been unimaginable.”
The Frenchman expressed enthusiasm for this Formulation 1 season, displaying extra ardour than restraint as a Crew 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 typically, and it’ll most likely be even higher subsequent 12 months. Over the past two years, there’s been a convergence in efficiency, which is sweet for Formulation 1.”
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