Ferrari, which has shown promise as the second-best team in the 2024 Formula 1 season, failed to meet expectations at the recent Shanghai event. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, despite having at least one driver on the podium in the first four races, only managed to qualify sixth and seventh, respectively, trailing behind Max Verstappen by six-tenths of a second. Although they were able to overtake George Russell and Fernando Alonso to finish fourth and fifth, they were still far from challenging Lando Norris, who took second place.
Team principal Vasseur admitted that Ferrari “made too many mistakes” while trying to optimize their package for the demanding Shanghai circuit with its unique tarmac coating. He acknowledged that failing to put everything together led to a subpar performance in qualifying. Vasseur emphasized the importance of perfection in a tight competition where the margin for error is minimal. He stated, “In this group, if you don’t do the perfect job you won’t be in front.”
During the race, both Ferraris faced challenges as they lost positions at the start, struggling for grip on the track. A mid-race safety car further complicated matters for Sainz, who had already made his pitstop for hard tires, putting him at a disadvantage against his competitors. Additionally, Vasseur noted that the Ferraris were less competitive on the hard compound tires compared to the mediums they initially started with, highlighting an area for improvement.
The difficult surface conditions at Shanghai, combined with limited practice time due to the sprint format, may have contributed to Ferrari’s setbacks. Vasseur, however, refused to make excuses, stating that the focus should be on maximizing their performance regardless of the circumstances. He emphasized the need to extract the best from the team’s capabilities, acknowledging that other teams managed the challenges more effectively.
Ferrari’s lackluster performance at the Shanghai event highlighted areas where the team needs to improve. From qualifying struggles to race pace issues, there are clear opportunities for growth and development. By learning from their mistakes and focusing on continuous improvement, Ferrari can position themselves as a formidable contender in the remaining races of the 2024 F1 season.
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