Ferrari: focusing on the form of its rivals in Baku would be a “mistake”
Frédéric Vasseur warns that the team must maximize its own potential during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and not focus on its rivals.
Less than a week away from the restart of Formula 1 in Baku, the director of Scuderia Ferrari has warned that focusing on Red Bull, Mercedes, or Aston Martin would be a mistake. “We must make the most of what we do and focus on ourselves. But we have taken a good step forward between the second and third races,” added the Frenchman.
The form on a lap will be particularly important in Azerbaijan, as the sprint race will have its own qualifying session. So, the drivers and teams will have to perform there twice. In Sakhir and Jeddah, Ferrari had the second fastest car on a lap, behind Red Bull, but they had more difficulties at Albert Park, where Mercedes and Aston Martin were ahead. « I think the problem in Melbourne was not the potential of the car, but rather the work we did as a team to get the best out of it, and we need to focus on this. », confessed the former Sauber member.
Baku, « not easy to master »
Vasseur acknowledges that the Baku circuit is not easy to master, but he hopes that the recent changes made to the SF-23 will pay off. Baku is often an extreme circuit because it is windy, and between the buildings, the wind completely changes direction from one corner to another. It will be a good exercise for everyone. It is certain that we are looking for something a little more coherent. And I think we have achieved that.
Fred Vasseur is therefore optimistic for the SF-23 with the approach of the first sprint weekend of the year. See you on Friday, April 28th for the start of the action.
