Ferrari secured its first podium of the season in Jeddah because of a powerful efficiency by Charles Leclerc. The race tempo of the quantity 16 SF-25 was convincing from begin to end, usually matching the instances set by the McLaren automobiles and Max Verstappen’s Purple Bull.
After the 50 laps and the rostrum ceremony, Ferrari workforce principal Frédéric Vasseur spoke to Sky Sport F1 to touch upon the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from each angle so far as Ferrari’s weekend was involved.
As we speak Ferrari confirmed wonderful race tempo. So the issue lies in qualifying, primarily?
“It’s clear that if we’re not one or two steps additional forward right now, it’s due to qualifying, as a result of within the race we had a really aggressive tempo. Charles was very sturdy. He managed the tyres for the primary 10 laps as a result of he was in soiled air and knew he must prolong the stint. Then on the Onerous he had McLaren’s tempo. However as we’ve stated, we have to enhance in qualifying, be extra constant all through the weekend, and begin from a greater place.”
Is Leclerc at the very least partially saving this begin to the season?
“It’s not about saving something, we have to work as a workforce to maintain growing and bettering. We’ve got weak factors and we all know they’re principally in qualifying, as a result of then within the race we’re at all times a bit stronger. We’ve got to do a greater job on Saturdays, however it’s a workforce effort—it’s not one particular person saving the others. We’re all in the identical boat.”
The SF-25 appears to carry out properly in quick sections and battle within the gradual ones. Is that the place it’s worthwhile to enhance?
“I’m undecided that’s the difficulty, as a result of right now we have been very constant in all forms of corners. Yesterday we struggled so much in turns 1 and a couple of. As we speak as a substitute we have been the quickest. We have to discuss with our drivers to know what was finished otherwise in comparison with yesterday. Truthfully, the tempo was there all through the lap. Additionally, tyre preparation and administration are vital in relation to one-lap struggles.”
Is it solely a tyre difficulty or have you ever discovered one thing within the setup as properly?
“It’s at all times a matter of many components, it’s by no means only one particular factor. If you’re three tenths behind, it’s not only one factor that’s off, it’s a collection of things. Efficiency comes from completely different components and we have to seek for each tenth in each space, identical to we did final yr. We have been far off initially of final season too, however then we caught up. This podium will assist push us ahead.”
It’s the second race the place you’ve scored extra factors than everybody—besides McLaren. How far off are you from what you anticipated initially of the season?
“We’re behind McLaren when it comes to factors and it’s fairly a spot. In comparison with Purple Bull and Mercedes, the issue was what occurred in China. However now we look forward to hold working and pushing as a gaggle. The outcomes will come.”
Do you continue to consider within the championship?
“I’m fascinated with Miami. I believe it’s a mistake to give attention to the championship. We have to do what we did final yr—method it race by race to enhance. We all know the automobile has weak spots, it’s clear, we’ve got to be sincere. We have to make an sincere evaluation. We’ve got pretty clear concepts.”
What do you make of Lewis’ race?
“It was tougher for him, ending 30 seconds behind Charles. He struggled in the direction of the top. He had an honest second stint, however in soiled air he struggled. He’s having too many ups and downs—each him and the workforce. We should be extra constant and do a greater job in FP3 forward of qualifying. I believe that’s the principle difficulty. We’ve got to be on it in each session, not simply within the race or in qualifying.”
Will you go all-in with updates in Miami?
“Miami will likely be tough as a result of there’ll solely be one follow session. It’ll be a Dash weekend. So we’ll solely have one hour of follow. We’ll most likely carry updates in Imola.”