Fred Vasseur was pleased to see Ferrari secure victory in Monaco, although he insists his team to get carried away. Since arriving in Maranello just over a year ago, the 55-year-old has led a series of fundamental changes at the Scuderia. There have been improvements to strategy, pure performance and operational efficiency. Consistent with Vasseur’s approach so far, he insists there is a long way to go in 2024.
Charles Leclerc finally converted Pole Position to victory in Monaco, breaking his ‘curse’ on home ground. Aside from the emotional significance of this result, Ferrari’s win in Monte Carlo is also critical for the Championship.
Over the last three races, Ferrari has scored 101 points to Red Bull’s 81. McLaren have also outscored the reigning Champions, tallying 85 points since their Miami upgrades.
With a third of the season completed, the Scuderia has reason to be confident in its package. The SF-24 is perhaps still a half-step behind Red Bull overall, but it is now within striking distance.
At tracks well suited to the Maranello-produced car, Max Verstappen can certainly be defeated. At these venues, like Monaco, must convert their speed into results.
FRED VASSEUR DEMANDS MORE FROM FERRARI
Speaking after Leclerc’s first victory of 2024, he was measured in his analysis of the situation:
“We are not World Champions, but we have been heading in the right direction for some time. This means that we must continue to push to improve and obtain more results.
“Races like this are motivation for the whole team.”
When asked about the points gap to Red Bull, he was clear about where Ferrari is diverting its focus:
“I don’t care. There are too many races left. We just have to do a better job starting next weekend in Canada.”
The Canadian GP marks the return to a more “normal” track compared to Monaco, which is something of an anomaly in the F1 calendar.
Ferrari has ten days to analyse the data collected with the updated SF-24. Similarly, McLaren and Red Bull will work to understand their recently updated components.
In an F1 Championship now decided by fine margins, complacency is something the front-runners cannot afford.
