Ferrari may finally have caught up with Red Bull in Formula 1, but for team principal Fred Vasseur, now is not the time to bask in fleeting glory.
After McLaren’s strong performances in Miami and Imola, Ferrari made a statement by entering the three-way battle at Monaco. While Monaco’s street circuit is unique, it has shown that Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari are all within a close competitive range, influenced by the circuit type and race execution. Red Bull remains the favorite on high-downforce circuits like Barcelona but no longer enjoys an uncontested lead on bumpier tracks.
With Charles Leclerc closing in within 31 points of Max Verstappen and Ferrari trailing Red Bull by 24 points in the constructors’ standings, the excitement is palpable among the tifosi and Italian media. However, Vasseur is keeping his eyes on the prize without getting carried away by the praise. His comprehensive overhaul of Maranello’s Gestione Sportiva is set to continue.
“If you start to think that you are in a good shape, you are dead,” Vasseur told the Italian media on Thursday. “We need to keep the same approach and strive for continuous improvement in every department, including drivers, the pit wall, and more. Even when you are doing well, you have to do better the next week.”
Vasseur’s strategy, avoiding extreme reactions to wins or losses, seems to be working wonders. Ferrari, which previously prevented Red Bull from sweeping the 2023 season with Carlos Sainz’s win in Singapore, feels like a refreshed team under Vasseur. The blame culture has been eradicated, and confidence is building.
“He’s got such a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and how to achieve it,” Leclerc said. “He doesn’t lose time and that is definitely his strength. Since the first day he joined, he’s got everything to bring the team back to where it belongs, challenging for world championships.”
Despite Ferrari’s targets shifting from race wins to championships, Vasseur remains realistic and focused on immediate goals. “It would be a mistake to think too much about the long-term future,” Vasseur warned. With three teams vying for the title and five or six cars able to contend for pole position, he emphasizes focusing on each race. Next up: Canada.
Ferrari’s win in Monaco, while only their second of the season, significantly boosts team morale. Leclerc’s victory after a long drought confirms the team’s progress. “For the team, it’s confirmation that we are pushing in the right direction and it gives the guys self-confidence,” Vasseur acknowledged. “I feel the self-confidence in the team, the mood, and the capacity for taking risks. This win is particularly important for Charles, who has been longing for a Monaco victory for years.”
Vasseur also praised Carlos Sainz’s professionalism and commitment, even knowing he will give up his seat to Lewis Hamilton next year. “He’s committed and doing a great job. I am confident this will continue through to the end of 2024,” Vasseur stated.
In his victory speech to the team, Vasseur emphasized that every member and department contributes to the success. “I told them, every single member is a performance differentiator. They own the results, be it good or bad,” he said.
Ferrari’s resurgence is real, but Fred Vasseur is keeping the team grounded and focused. With a combination of strategic vision and continuous improvement, Vasseur aims to keep Ferrari competitive down to the last lap of the season.
Source: Motorsport
