Fred Vasseur wants Ferrari to avoid the blunders that saw the team make all the wrong F1 news headlines in Austin.
Ferrari suffered a series of operational blunders at the American GP, which team principal Fred Vasseur wants to avoid in Mexico. The Italian squad has enjoyed considerable success since the summer break, taking three Pole Positions and a race win in Singapore. The SF-23 is more competitive than when 2023 began and is also a far more predictable machine for the drivers.
Though this progress should be acknowledged, last weekend’s race was poorly executed by the Scuderia. Charles Leclerc didn’t have the machinery to contend for victory in COTA despite claiming an impressive Pole Position. Still, a podium finish was a realistic target. This was especially true based on the opening stint, where Leclerc showed very strong tyre management.
This is another area where Ferrari has taken a step forward in 2023. Unfortunately for the Monegasque driver, this encouraged the team to take a risk on strategy. The 26-year-old was one of the few drivers to commit to a one-stop race, which ultimately proved detrimental.
Leclerc dropped down the order until the chequered flag – before a post-race qualification rubbed salt in the rounds. With Mercedes still within striking range in the standings, Fred Vasseur’s team cannot afford to repeat these errors moving forward.
Vasseur wants less unforced errors
The Ferrari team principal emphasised this race after last weekend’s final results:
“We left Austin with a different result to the finishing order past the flag, which promoted Carlos to a place on the podium – actually well deserved given how he managed his race.
“It has also allowed us to claw back some points in our pursuit of second place in the Constructors’ classification.
“However, in Mexico I want to see a more focussed team, as we cannot afford to get things wrong in how we assess the race evolution, as was the case in Austin.
“The altitude in Mexico makes for a unique race, as it influences various aspects of the car’s behaviour from pure performance to tyre management.”
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Tougher competition
Whilst Ferrari has enjoyed some positive recent results, the final races of 2023 could prove tricky. Mercedes have made positive steps with their latest updates, and Aston Martin also showed flashes of potential at the US GP. The Mexican GP also offers unique challenges to Ferrari, including high altitudes that often punish the Maranello team’s engines.
This is not to say Leclerc or Sainz cannot fight at the front. However, these factors stress the raised stakes at Maranello in the last stretch of the season – when competition from rivals could be at its highest.
