While Ferrari’s team boss Frederic Vasseur recognises further progress in terms of tyres, he plays down McLaren’s suddenly upwardly pointing form curve
While McLaren were still going nowhere at the Spanish Grand Prix, the traditional racing team has been unrecognisable since the home race at Silverstone and is at times the second fastest team in the field. Lando Norris in particular was able to shine with several podiums.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur, however, does not share this narrative and believes McLaren made steps forward far earlier. For example, the Frenchman cites Norris’ third place on the grid in Spain as an indication. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is considered an all-round circuit and the most important gauge of a car’s performance.
“I’m not sure we have exactly the same assessment of the season,” answers Vasseur when asked about the pace of the MCL60, but adds nonetheless: “This type of track probably suits their car better than ours. But of course it’s not just a question of pure potential, but also the driveability of the car.”
According to Vasseur, a development in the right direction also releases forces in the drivers: “Every time you take a step forward, you also help the driver to take a step forward. We’re talking about a kind of snowball effect. Still, it’s a small step compared to Red Bull!”
But things are also moving forward at Ferrari itself. The Scuderia is getting a better grip on the big problem of tyre management, according to its team boss: “I think it’s a step forward compared to the beginning of the season. In the race, everything was under control. If we look at the first few Grands Prix, tyre degradation was not always our biggest strength, to say the least.”
Nonetheless, Vasseur harbours doubts about the implementation of the tyre issue in Suzuka: “On the other hand, maybe we were a bit too conservative with the tyre management. I think it was true for everyone on the grid that we were more scared than was actually necessary.”
However, there is no blame whatsoever when it comes to strategy during the race: “The strategy was well executed. We did well. A clear step forward compared to the first part of the season. “
