Ferrari secured its first podium of the season in Jeddah due to a robust efficiency by Charles Leclerc. The race tempo of the quantity 16 SF-25 was convincing from begin to end, usually matching the instances set by the McLaren automobiles 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.
At present 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 at the moment, it’s due to qualifying, as a result of within the race we had a really aggressive tempo. Charles was very robust. 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 creating and enhancing. We’ve got weak factors and we all know they’re largely 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, nevertheless it’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 effectively in quick sections and wrestle within the gradual ones. Is that the place you’ll want to enhance?
“I’m unsure that’s the difficulty, as a result of at the moment we have been very constant in all varieties of corners. Yesterday we struggled loads in turns 1 and a couple of. At present as an alternative we have been the quickest. We have to discuss with our drivers to know what was accomplished in a different way 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 challenge or have you ever discovered one thing within the setup as effectively?
“It’s all the time a matter of many components, it’s by no means only one particular factor. Once you’re three tenths behind, it’s not only one factor that’s off, it’s a sequence of things. Efficiency comes from totally different parts and we have to seek for each tenth in each space, identical to we did final yr. We have 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 when it comes to factors and it’s fairly a spot. 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 consider within the championship?
“I’m excited about Miami. I believe it’s a mistake to concentrate on the championship. We have to do what we did final yr—strategy it race by race to enhance. We all know the automobile has weak spots, it’s clear, we have now to be trustworthy. We have to make an trustworthy 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 the 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 have to be extra constant and do a greater job in FP3 forward of qualifying. I believe that’s the primary challenge. 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 probably 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 deliver updates in Imola.”
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