Ferrari arrives at Suzuka in the wake of the enthusiasm for the victory in Australia, which came at the end of a weekend where, although Max Verstappen's retirement significantly facilitated the work, the SF-24 proved to be a competitive car right from the start .
It is clear that Melbourne represents an atypical track in the entire calendar, with its particular asphalt and that intermediate nature between city nature and a real high-speed circuit. Precisely for this reason, despite appearing in Japan with a certain amount of confidence, on the other hand Ferrari is well aware that at Suzuka the real risk is that of seeing Red Bull as an absolute reference again, without forgetting the role that McLaren could have in the fight for the podium.
The Red team's haul so far includes a total of four podiums in the first three races, including the nice one-two achieved in Australia, but the most encouraging aspect is that on three different tracks it has proven to be the second force with a certain consistency. The SF-24 proved to be the most balanced single-seater among the pursuers, while McLaren, Aston Martin and Mercedes showed off certain strengths, but also certain weaknesses that alternated the values on the field from weekend to weekend.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“It's gone quite well so far. We've made a step forward compared to last year. Melbourne was probably the best weekend, but in general the first two rounds of the season also went very well. We weren't far behind Red Bull. We got four podiums in three weekends, a victory and a double. It's a good start”, said Frederic Vasseur during the Tokyo Festival, the event that precedes the Japanese Grand Prix.
“However, it is a season that is also very, very close. If you look at McLaren behind us, Aston and Mercedes, everyone is very, very close. And every weekend we will have to start from scratch and then push again. This is the DNA of this sport. It's nice to get somewhere and feel like you can win the race, and I think that's the case for a couple of teams.”
The rapid changes of direction and the long bends of the Japanese track last year enhanced the qualities of the RB19, which finished the race with about twenty seconds ahead of its closest rival, Lando Norris on the MCL60. Although not at the level of the reference single-seater of the world championship, last season the British single-seater made the first sector its hunting ground, unlike Ferrari, in an area where the major weak points of the project emerged.
This year, however, the SF-24 seems like a more complete car than its progenitor. Not only is it easier for drivers to drive, but it is also more predictable and kinder on the tyres. Furthermore, performing well in medium speed sections, it seems to adapt better to a wider range of scenarios than in the past. The step forward is evident, but it is clear that the weak points cannot be resolved in a single winter and that, at the same time, there are cars that are able to express themselves more convincingly in certain sections that have specific characteristics.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
For example, although the Prancing Horse car did not disfigure itself, both in Jeddah and Melbourne there was still a performance difference in the fastest corners and rapid changes of direction compared to Red Bull and McLaren. And it is precisely in these areas that the Red team seeks confirmation at Suzuka, one of the most technical tracks in the entire world championship.
“I think the track is the favorite of all the drivers, because it is very exciting. Last year we didn't go very well, but on these types of corners, high-speed corners, we have improved compared to a year ago. And if you look at the first three rounds, in these corners the gap was limited, we're talking about one or two tenths per lap. It means that everything is open”, added the Ferrari Team Principal, underlining however that Red Bull will once again be the car to beat.
“I am convinced that Red Bull will be very strong in Japan. It will be difficult, but everything is open, and I think the fact that we won last week is a good motivation, as well as a boost for all members of the team. It's an extra motivation for Carlos because it was an excellent start to the season, for Charles because he wants to do well. It's a good reward for everyone, we're going in the right direction. We hope to do well in Japan this weekend.”
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal and General Director, Scuderia Ferrari
Photo by: Ferrari
This year the event has been brought forward: it is no longer in the last part of the calendar, towards the end of the season, but at the beginning of the championship. According to Pirelli, this innovation could lead to some differences in the use of the tyres, so much so that a single stop is not even a remote possibility, although clearly everything will have to be verified over the weekend. According to Vasseur, however, the biggest difference lies in the fact that the team still has to get to know the car thoroughly, so much so that it shouldn't bring major updates.
“I would say that at the beginning the weather is quite similar! There is not a big difference between October and this weekend. The big difference is that at the beginning of the season we don't know the potential of the car and we are all a little more But ultimately, when you look at the potential of the car and the competitors, I think this season will be a much more open race than it was last year, when the hierarchy was clear, and it will probably be a much more exciting event “, added the Cavallino Team Principal.
#Vasseur #open #Suzuka #SF24 #adapt
