On the finish of the 2024 Formulation 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Purple Bull within the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers level to the Italian facet as McLaren’s major 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 crew can now not disguise, even when tam principal Frederic Vasseur would favor the highlight to stay on the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris rivalry; Ferrari will compete for the Constructors’ Championship.
It received’t be simple, 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 steadiness that has taken form because the summer time break has created a state of affairs the place the whole package deal makes the distinction. The outcomes achieved by Ferrari between the USA Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix should not attributable to a dominant automotive however somewhat an aerodynamic package deal that has labored to perfection.
Throughout final Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren’s Lando Norris doubtless 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 ordinary skirmishes between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris) created the proper circumstances to dominate the race. Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello crew now had a lot better management over varied conditions in comparison with the start of the 2024 Formulation 1 season, noting enhancements in pit stops and methods. The French supervisor acknowledged that whereas a robust tempo from the automotive made every thing simpler, the crew had carried out nicely general through the Mexican weekend.
Reflecting on the Singapore Grand Prix, the Scuderia’s crew principal recalled feeling annoyed on the flight again, sensing that they had left beneficial alternatives on the desk. He felt there had been potential to compete for pole place, and ranging from the entrance might have modified the end result. Nevertheless, 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, necessary 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 conduct of some lapped drivers, which price the Monegasque a number of seconds through 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 isn’t merely dangerous luck however somewhat an error on the a part of the driving force failing to present means. He defined that Charles Leclerc misplaced each time and, extra critically, tire temperature in that section, which allowed Lando Norris to shut the hole.
All the pieces could make a distinction. Ferrari proper now has automotive but additionally two drivers who, when it comes to contribution to the crew, 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 depart 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 isn’t for use as an excuse.
The Ferrari crew principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not one of the 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 every thing remained open and emphasised that performing nicely throughout the whole weekend could be much more important in Qatar. Though unsure whether or not they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he careworn the significance of doing their utmost to realize the absolute best end in that weekend as nicely.
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