Ferrari secured its first podium of the season in Jeddah because of a robust efficiency by Charles Leclerc. The race tempo of the quantity 16 SF-25 was convincing from begin to end, usually matching the occasions set by the McLaren vehicles and Max Verstappen’s Purple Bull.
After the 50 laps and the rostrum ceremony, Ferrari staff 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 lengthen 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 a minimum of partially saving this begin to the season?
“It’s not about saving something, we have to work as a staff to maintain growing and enhancing. We’ve got weak factors and we all know they’re principally in qualifying, as a result of then within the race we’re all the time a bit stronger. We’ve got to do a greater job on Saturdays, but it surely’s a staff 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 wrestle within the sluggish ones. Is that the place that you must enhance?
“I’m undecided that’s the problem, as a result of right now we had been very constant in all varieties of corners. Yesterday we struggled so much in turns 1 and a couple of. As we speak as a substitute we had 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 essential in relation to one-lap struggles.”
Is it solely a tyre problem or have you ever discovered one thing within the setup as properly?
“It’s all the time a matter of many components, it’s by no means only one particular factor. Whenever you’re three tenths behind, it’s not only one factor that’s off, it’s a sequence of things. Efficiency comes from completely different parts and we have to seek for each tenth in each space, identical to we did final 12 months. We had been far off firstly 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 firstly of the season?
“We’re behind McLaren by way of factors and it’s fairly a niche. In comparison with Purple Bull and Mercedes, the issue was what occurred in China. However now we sit up for preserve working and pushing as a bunch. The outcomes will come.”
Do you continue to imagine within the championship?
“I’m fascinated about Miami. I feel it’s a mistake to give attention to the championship. We have to do what we did final 12 months—strategy it race by race to enhance. We all know the automotive has weak spots, it’s clear, we now have 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 more durable for him, ending 30 seconds behind Charles. He struggled in direction of the tip. He had a good second stint, however in soiled air he struggled. He’s having too many ups and downs—each him and the staff. We should be extra constant and do a greater job in FP3 forward of qualifying. I feel that’s the primary problem. 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 observe session. It’ll be a Dash weekend. So we’ll solely have one hour of observe. We’ll most likely convey updates in Imola.”
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