“We’ve made progress combining pace, strategy, and reliability”

Frederic Vasseur appears to be like on the optimistic features of the weekend in Mexico Metropolis however doesn’t cover the truth that there may be nonetheless numerous work to be executed.

McLaren forward

The thirty-second hole to McLaren contrasts with Ferrari’s second consecutive podium, permitting the Scuderia to overhaul Mercedes within the Constructors’ Championship. Frederic Vasseur doesn’t downplay the gap misplaced to the race winners, however on the similar time he praises the staff’s potential to place all the pieces collectively between Austin and Mexico Metropolis. The Workforce Principal additionally commends Lewis Hamilton, though he disagrees with the penalty that affected the seven-time World Champion.

“Clearly, there may be nonetheless numerous work to do,” Fred Vasseur admits when requested in regards to the 30-second deficit to Lando Norris’ McLaren, who had roughly half a second per lap benefit. “Total, it was a superb weekend for us, with sturdy qualifying tempo. We’re not removed from combating for pole place, and ending second and third was a strong end result. Nevertheless, I feel that by Friday afternoon Lando had already proven that he was on a distinct degree in race tempo. In the present day was the identical; I imagine he had no less than 5 tenths benefit.”

Within the second half of the race, Ferrari additionally confronted a problem from Max Verstappen’s Pink Bull, benefiting from a tire benefit. Fred Vasseur doesn’t speculate whether or not Charles Leclerc might have defended his place with out the ultimate neutralization, however he states that he was not overly frightened: “On the pit wall, I shouldn’t have a crystal ball. Should you can’t go on the primary lap, it turns into very troublesome, and that applies to us in addition to anybody else. This was the case for Oscar Piastri with Oliver Bearman and in addition with Antonelli. You possibly can have six to seven tenths of benefit, however should you can’t overtake the automotive forward on the primary lap, it turns into extraordinarily difficult. Actually, I wasn’t too frightened in regards to the Digital Security Automobile, extra in regards to the restart.”

Hamilton’s penalty

Through the early laps, Ferrari even thought-about the opportunity of a double podium end, which might have been Lewis Hamilton’s first for Ferrari. Nevertheless, his race was compromised by a penalty with which Fred Vasseur disagrees. “Definitely, we didn’t observe the race director’s directions, however I don’t recall anybody receiving a 10-second penalty. Trying on the larger image, with Max chopping 100 meters throughout the grass on the earlier nook, I don’t assume the scenario was properly managed, particularly contemplating that is Mexico. I’m not saying the penalty ought to rely on the observe, however you need to perceive what you might be doing. Giving 10 seconds dropped us to the again of the group and not using a likelihood to overhaul. It most likely value us fourth place, which I feel was achievable even with solely a five-second penalty.”

After serving the ten-second penalty within the pits, Lewis Hamilton’s tempo was not exceptional, however Fred Vasseur believes this was as a result of circumstances. “I feel in the present day it depended extra on the penalty that value us 5 positions than the rest. Concerning Lewis’ tempo, don’t overlook that he missed the primary follow session. He bought into the automotive in FP2 and instantly was in the course of Norris and Russell. […] It was a powerful efficiency from him. We practically made the rostrum, and it could have been an incredible story—I used to be excited about it at one level.”

Though Lewis Hamilton stays and not using a podium, the Workforce Principal is glad together with his efficiency: “Trying on the season to date, he’s doing very properly. Generally he had minor points, whether or not in qualifying or within the race, and this weekend he put all the pieces collectively. He made no errors and is delivering. It is usually optimistic for the staff to have each automobiles within the factors.”

Steps ahead

Total, the staff managed the automotive properly throughout a difficult weekend, the place excessive temperatures and skinny air might have recreated the overheating issues already skilled in Singapore. “A big a part of efficiency comes from cooling. To regulate the cooling of the automotive, brakes, engine, and each single aspect, you need to anticipate the place you may be through the race, whether or not in site visitors or not, and infrequently this sacrifices some efficiency. That is the one weekend of the season the place we run with such a excessive cooling degree. Total, within the final two occasions, we did properly, and this weekend we have been aggressive from the very first lap.”

There was no breakthrough for Ferrari, however slightly a well-executed use of the automotive, from driver efficiency to setup selections and race administration. “We struggle for tenths, if not hundredths, of a second. A gust of wind or soiled air in qualifying can transfer you from second to sixth place. This have to be saved in thoughts. This weekend, I imagine Lando was a step forward, however behind him it was a good battle from second to seventh. Most likely within the final two weekends, we’ve taken a step ahead by way of placing all the pieces collectively, with out feeling like we left something on the desk, not like Baku, Singapore, or that sequence of races the place the potential was good, however we struggled to carry dwelling factors,” concludes the Workforce Principal.

Oct 28, 2025David Carter

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