Ferrari, known for their impressive performances in the 2024 season, faced challenges during the Shanghai event. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who had been consistently on the podium in the previous races, only managed to qualify in sixth and seventh place respectively. This put them at a disadvantage right from the start, as they were six-tenths behind Max Verstappen. Despite moving up to finish fourth and fifth during the race, they were unable to catch McLaren’s Lando Norris who secured second place.
Team principal Vasseur acknowledged that Ferrari made too many mistakes leading up to the event. He emphasized the importance of putting everything together to be competitive, especially in a field where the margins are so tight. The team’s struggles to optimize their package for the unique Shanghai circuit and its tarmac coating resulted in a lackluster qualifying performance. Vasseur admitted that without a flawless execution, it is challenging to stay ahead in a group where small details can make a significant difference.
During the race, both Leclerc and Sainz faced difficulties maintaining their positions. They struggled to keep up with Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso at the start, which made their comeback even more challenging. The mid-race safety car further complicated matters for Sainz, as he had already made his pitstop for hard tires, putting him at a disadvantage compared to his competitors. Vasseur highlighted the team’s struggles with the hard compound tires compared to the mediums they had started the race on, indicating an area for improvement.
Vasseur explained that Ferrari’s performance suffered more towards the end of the race, particularly on the hard compound tires. Sainz, in particular, faced challenges with the timing of his pitstop and had to carefully manage his long stint on the hard tires. The team realized that they were more competitive on the medium tires and lost ground once they switched to the harder compound. This insight provides valuable information for future races and emphasizes the importance of tire management strategy.
While the challenging surface conditions in Shanghai and the limited practice time in the sprint format may have contributed to Ferrari’s struggles, Vasseur emphasized the need to focus on extracting the best performance from the car. He refused to make excuses for the team’s performance and acknowledged that other teams managed the conditions better. Vasseur’s candid assessment highlights the importance of continuous improvement and learning from mistakes to stay competitive in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.
Ferrari’s performance at the 2024 Shanghai event serves as a valuable learning experience for the team. From qualifying struggles to challenges during the race, there are clear areas for improvement that need to be addressed. By analyzing the mistakes made and the lessons learned, Ferrari can make the necessary adjustments to bounce back stronger in future races. The competitive nature of Formula 1 requires teams to be adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges, and Ferrari is no exception.
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