F1 | Ferrari: the victory in Monaco strengthens a growing team

It ended with a dip in the (far from warm) waters of the Monte Carlo port. First Vasseur, then Leclerc. The victory obtained in the Monaco Grand Prix is ​​one of those that changes a lot in the economy of a season, removing doubts and pressure and energizing the environment. The first fact is that Ferrari achieved two victories in the first eight races of the season. In Melbourne there was still the doubt that with Max Verstappen on the track the result could have been different, in Monte Carlo there were no doubts. Pole and victory arrived without any outstanding questions related to the potential of the opponents.

Another fact: after the Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari reduced the gap from Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings to 24 points. Beyond what could become timid world championship hopes, the numbers confirm a very positive trend. The seven second gap that separated Leclerc from Verstappen last Sunday in Imola was viewed positively by the team, an assessment shared by few outside Maranello. Monaco is certainly not the best place to judge the aerodynamic qualities of the car, for that the verdict of Montreal and especially Barcelona will be needed, but the timing of the victory in the Principality is the right one. The SF-24 capitalized on its excellent driveability, one of the basic objectives of the project.

“Motivation has never been lacking – commented Vasseur – but a victory like this helps strengthen self-confidence. When you achieve success the next step is to pay even more attention to details, there is a sort of snowball effect. We must continue like this, without falling into the temptation of imagining that it is done, that it will be like this until the end of the season. We will have different tracks with different layouts, there will be ups and downs until the end of the season, now we have at least three teams fighting for pole positions and victories, and Mercedes is not that far away either. I hope this scenario can be confirmed until the end of the championship.”

The idea of ​​a compact growth of the team has emerged some time ago. Even today’s race, a race that Ferrari could only have lost, saw an impeccable working group in the management of strategic choices and in dialogue with the drivers. It’s not all a given, considering that Sainz will soon have to pack his bags, but the climate, at least for now, is very constructive.

The dynamics of the violent accident that occurred during the first lap (triggered by Kevin Magnussen) made it possible to remedy the unfortunate contact with Piastri which led to the puncture of Sainz’s left front tire when exiting St. Devote. In just a few minutes, Carlos went from the bitterness of retirement to a reopened race, concluding on the podium a weekend that hadn’t started in the best way. The icing that completed the Scuderia’s great weekend.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24

Photo by: Erik Junius

“Montreal? We will see – clarified Vasseur – other asphalt, other compounds, another track layout”. The impression is that Ferrari (together with McLaren) will once again be the thorn in Red Bull’s side. There will probably be many more victories for Max Verstappen, but certainly fewer than those that were hypothesized in the aftermath of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, after the second double (in the first two races) for Red Bull.
“We must apply pressure and be ready not to let every opportunity slip away – confirmed Vasseur – last year we left a lot on the way, but important progress has been made on this front”.

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Optimize where defense will be played, but it is not certain that the Ferrari seen in Monaco is only something linked to the Principality. There will be tracks where he can play in attack, and after the victory in the Principality this feeling grows more and more.