Frederic Vasseur and the George Russell penalty
Frederic Vasseur didn’t search for loopholes to safe Ferrari’s first podium of the season as he spoke to Sky after the 2025 Bahrain GP. The Ferrari group principal didn’t ask for a penalty for George Russell, which might have promoted Charles Leclerc (who completed lower than 5 seconds behind the Mercedes driver) to 3rd place:
“George Russell misplaced the transponder, so there have been no lap occasions or GPS, and so they needed to deactivate the automated DRS system, which he then needed to handle manually. He opened the DRS, and I believe it was a mistake on that lap, as a result of there was nobody in entrance of him… However I don’t assume they’ll penalize him as a result of it was a small achieve and he didn’t do it on goal.”
Ferrari’s technique evaluation
Past the stewards’ issues, Frederic Vasseur additionally commented on Ferrari’s race technique:
“I believe Mercedes was very aggressive, and even Russell mentioned it was one thing daring. It actually was and it stunned us. However the Security Automobile didn’t assist us as a result of it got here out proper once we have been the quickest on observe, nevertheless it went the way it went. What would we now have finished? It trusted the tempo, but when we had maintained what we had till then—robust and constant—we may have prolonged the stint after which fitted Softs.”
“The issue,” added the Ferrari pit wall boss, “is that when the Security Automobile got here on the market have been 24 laps to go, and it was too dangerous to go for Softs. Beginning on Mediums after which utilizing one other set of Mediums meant that ultimately we may select between Hards and Softs relying on tyre degradation. It was probably the most versatile technique, as a result of if degradation was excessive, we may go for Hards, in any other case Softs in case of low tyre put on.”
“I don’t know if it was one of the best we may do,” he concluded concerning race ways, “as a result of once we determined to increase the primary stint, we wished to have a bonus within the ultimate section with brisker tyres, however the Security Automobile took away that benefit. However that mustn’t be an excuse, it’s what it’s, you may’t predict the Security Automobile and you’ll’t complain when it comes out.”
The brand new ground doesn’t make the distinction
Frederic Vasseur additionally spoke about Ferrari’s efficiency after introducing its improve bundle:
“The place is Ferrari? We’re the place we’re, and I believe it’s clear to everybody that McLaren is a step forward. In some circumstances, like within the second stint of the race, we’re proper there. However general, on common, they’re 2 or 3 tenths quicker than us—possibly extra in some stints, possibly much less in others. However the benefit is in that vary, and we’re battling with Mercedes and Pink Bull. That’s how it’s. I believe the scenario can change from observe to trace and session to session, however for now we’re within the group with Pink Bull and Mercedes.”
“New ground? Sure, however we now have to mood expectations,” he added, “as a result of we’re speaking about a number of hundredths of a second. The important thing issue for efficiency throughout the entire paddock proper now could be tyres and tyre administration. And Jeddah is nearly the alternative of Bahrain as a result of it’s a observe the place you are able to do ten qualifying laps on the identical set.”
Frederic Vasseur defends Lewis Hamilton
The ultimate remark was about Lewis Hamilton’s disappointing weekend, regardless of a strong comeback within the race:
“I perceive the frustration, as a result of in Free Apply 1 and up till Q2 he did an amazing job—one lap he was forward of Charles, the following behind. Then in Q3 he misplaced his first run (resulting from observe limits) and within the second try he made a mistake and certified ninth. As we speak he had a superb race; he completed forward of Max Verstappen and different vehicles that have been in entrance of him. However should you begin that far again, it will get robust,” concluded Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur.
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