Fred Vasseur: “We’re lacking something in the slow corners, but the balance is….read more
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur shared his thoughts on the team’s performance after the opening day of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka, a session dominated by the disruptions like red flags, off-track excursions, and a grass fire. Despite these challenges, Ferrari’s drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, showed some positive signs, particularly regarding car balance. However, the team still found themselves struggling to extract maximum performance, especially in the slower corners.
During Free Practice 2, Ferrari struggled to put in a consistent lap due to traffic and other issues on the track. The difficult conditions prevented drivers from getting into a rhythm, which impacted their performance. Vasseur noted that while the balance seemed good for both Leclerc and Hamilton, it was clear that the team was facing a deficit, particularly in the low-speed corners, specifically Turn 9 and Turn 11. These sections of the track proved to be challenging for the team, and Vasseur acknowledged that Ferrari might be lacking in that area.
Despite these challenges, Vasseur remained optimistic, noting that Ferrari wasn’t far off the competition. The team’s performance was relatively competitive when compared to the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes, and Vasseur believed they were in a close battle with McLaren. However, he also pointed out that McLaren seemed to have a slight edge at this stage. Still, the key to success would be putting everything together in the following sessions, especially with the unpredictable weather forecast for Sunday’s race, where rain could add another layer of complexity to the weekend.
Regarding the track conditions, Vasseur emphasized the importance of wind and how it could impact the car’s balance, especially in the high-speed sections. On Friday, the wind was blowing in one direction, which meant the car’s handling was set up for those specific conditions. However, Vasseur warned that the wind would shift 180 degrees on Saturday, which would completely change the car’s balance. This would make managing the car, particularly in the high-speed sections and on the straight, more difficult for the drivers. The tailwind in the high-speed sections would alter the car’s behavior, while the headwind on the straights would require drivers to adapt their strategies.
In conclusion, while Ferrari showed some promise during the first day of practice, the team’s focus will be on refining their setup and adapting to changing conditions in the coming days. With both high expectations and challenges ahead, Vasseur is hopeful that Ferrari can compete strongly against their rivals.
