Ferrari Boss Urges Calm Amid Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Disappointment

Formula 1 news: Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has called for his team to remain calm despite a lackluster performance in the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, attributing the issue to track characteristics rather than a significant decline in competitiveness.

Following a disastrous double retirement in Canada, Ferrari brought a substantial upgrade package to Barcelona, but the team struggled to challenge its immediate competitors, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finishing in fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

Vasseur pointed to Ferrari’s inability to optimize the SF-24 on a single lap, resulting in narrow margins separating the top teams. This, he believes, is a recurring theme seen in recent races, including China. The Frenchman emphasized that the current closely contested competition at the top means circuit configurations are now dictating the order.

“I don’t remember exactly the order of the races, but from Shanghai you have four teams in two or three-tenths,” Vasseur stated. “And this is changing, the order is changing because over the last four weekends we had four different teams doing the pole position. And we didn’t change massively the car.”

Vasseur dismissed concerns that Ferrari has slipped to being the fourth-quickest team, citing the team’s proximity to Mercedes in qualifying, with a mere five-thousands of a second separating them. He highlighted that the competitive landscape will continue to evolve through the season, with each event bringing a unique set of circumstances.

“We have to take event by event,” Vasseur said. “I think next week it will be a completely different format, different tarmac, different type of corners also. And we will have another picture.”

Vasseur’s calm demeanor is a reflection of his confidence in Ferrari’s ability to adapt and respond to the ever-changing Formula 1 environment. “Now, nothing is forever in F1 today,” he said. “I’m not sure that you can find over the last 10 years in F1 four consecutive events with four different guys in pole position and four different teams.”

The Ferrari boss also downplayed concerns that the team’s performance in Monaco, an unconventional track, might not be replicable on traditional circuits. “If we are winning in Singapore, Baku, Monaco and so on, it is not that bad,” he said.

Vasseur’s message is clear: Ferrari must remain focused and adapt to the nuances of each track, rather than drawing conclusions based on a single performance. As the Formula 1 schedule unfolds, the Prancing Horse will be looking to capitalize on its strengths and overcome the challenges posed by its rivals.

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