During the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari took the spotlight alongside McLaren, while Red Bull found themselves struggling with the street circuit’s challenges. Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull, could only manage a sixth-place finish, wedged between the two Mercedes drivers.
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, was clear that their win in Monaco won’t alter their approach to competing with Red Bull for the rest of the Formula 1 season. He emphasized that despite their victory, it’s crucial for Ferrari to keep pushing forward. ‘It’s not a matter of motivation because the motivation is there for a while, but it’s self-confidence for the drivers, for the team,’ Vasseur said. He added that being in a position to win makes the team pay more attention to details, creating a positive feedback loop that has contributed to their progress over the past six or seven months.
Vasseur cautioned against complacency, stating that assuming their job is done would be the ‘worst-case scenario.’ He pointed out that different tracks have unique characteristics, and competition between Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull will vary depending on the circuit. ‘We have to score good points when we are not at the top and to be able to win when we are there. But nothing changes,’ Vasseur reiterated.
Max Verstappen himself admitted that Red Bull didn’t handle the Monaco circuit well, highlighting a general struggle with track bumps that compressed the field in 2024. According to Vasseur, Red Bull will still have the upper hand at many of the remaining circuits, and Ferrari needs to be opportunistic to secure strong finishes even on less favorable tracks. He expressed optimism that at least three teams, including Mercedes, are now capable of competing for pole positions and wins. ‘It’s exciting and it will be, I hope, like this until the end of the season,’ Vasseur noted.
This season has seen Ferrari become more opportunistic, capitalizing on every chance to gain points—a significant improvement from the previous year. Vasseur remains confident this approach will keep the competition ‘tight’ throughout the season. ‘For sure, depending from track to track, we’ll have perhaps Red Bull with an advantage, or Ferrari, or McLaren. And we’ll have to be opportunistic,’ he stated. ‘The fight will be tight.’
Fred Vasseur’s comments reflect a determined and strategic approach from Ferrari as they navigate the remaining races of the season. Winning in Monaco was just one step, and the team is well aware that consistency and seizing opportunities will be key to their championship aspirations.
Source: Motorsport
