For Ferrari, the important thing is not to fall behind in the Netherlands

After three weeks without a Grand Prix, Formula 1 is preparing to resume at Zandvoort. The teams, which have had time to rest, are now preparing for the arrival of the Dutch Grand Prix. This is already the case for the team third in the constructor standings, Ferrari. For the occasion, Frédéric Vasseur has communicated on the team’s objectives for this weekend. After a difficult start to the season and disappointing performances, Ferrari is determined to turn the situation around.

Problems that have been going on since Spain

Ferrari had started the season at the top of Formula 1. With several Grand Prix wins for the team, the red horses were dangerously close to Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s relentless performance. However, after modifications at the Spanish Grand Prix, nothing is going well for the team.

The set of updates made before mid-season did not meet expectations. On the contrary, the car developed certain problems, including rebound issues, which were particularly disruptive in the following races. This incident forced the team to revert to previous configurations, including the old floor, to recover the few performances they had achieved. Despite these changes, the Ferrari single-seater still does not seem optimal. For Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari team principal, the priority is therefore to resolve these rebound issues as soon as possible.

However, Fred Vasseur does not despair. Although the upcoming circuit is not suitable for the car’s configurations, the team is focusing on not falling behind at the moment. “The essential thing is to score points, and that was the goal when coming to Spa-Francorchamps: not to lose points against McLaren and Red Bull,” admits Fred Vasseur. “It will be the same goal at Zandvoort, as I am convinced that the three or four races after these two will be much better for us.”

Luck is increasing in the upcoming Grand Prix.

If until now Ferrari had not been lucky in the last Grand Prix, the ones that follow could well allow them to climb back up in the rankings. With circuits more suited to the single-seater, it’s now or never to reclaim the position they have lost to McLaren. « We are pushing hard to bring something and we will do it as soon as possible. We also have a good stretch of circuits for us with Monza, Baku, and Singapore – circuits adapted to the characteristics of the car,” acknowledged the team manager.

For the moment, Ferrari’s performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, where they collected 23 points, shows an improvement on the car. But with McLaren still ahead by 21 points, they will have to change the single-seaters more drastically. The gap with the leader Red Bull has nevertheless narrowed, and Frédéric Vasseur considers this a positive sign. The slightest progress on those who were previously dominant appears as a small victory.

« For example, in Budapest, we finished in the same position as last year, but we are no longer 65 seconds behind, we are 20. This means that we really have to keep everything under control, not overreact, pay attention to details, and I am rather positive,” he said.

As Ferrari prepares for the Dutch Grand Prix, the team’s strategy is to take advantage of circuits like Monza, Baku, and Singapore, which suit their car’s characteristics. The top spot, which doesn’t seem as far away as one might think, could be back with Ferrari in the near future.