Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur says they need to stay calm over the variations in outcomes they see from race to race.

The crew was disillusioned by its efficiency on the Hungaroring, a observe it anticipated would go well with them, the place their vehicles completed seventh and eighth. Nevertheless at Spa-Francorchamps, which appeared a much less promising circuit for the crew on paper, Charles Leclerc took pole place and completed on the rostrum.

Talking after Sunday’s race Vasseur stated the modifications in consequence from week to week confirmed how shut the groups behind Crimson Bull are in efficiency. He contrasted Ferrari’s sturdy weekend at Spa with McLaren’s efficiency following their back-to-back podium finishes at Silverstone and the Hungaroring.

“I’ll keep very calm as a result of we had the identical assembly one week in the past and we have been on the finish of the world, McLaren was flying and we have been silly and so forth,” Vasseur instructed media after Sunday’s race in Belgium. “However from one week to the opposite the McLaren is on the again immediately and we’re on the entrance.

“It implies that we now have to remain calm, to take it simple, race after race. We all know that the pack is so tight that for one or two tenths you’ll be able to transfer from P2 to P11.”

He stated the crew’s sturdy lead to Belgium was a constructive method to enter the summer season break.

“It’s not the tip of the season, we now have loads to do, however for positive immediately it’s good to complete the primary a part of the season on a constructive tone. A minimum of we could have the 2 weeks off with a constructive race in thoughts.”

Nevertheless Vassseur is eager to see Ferrari replicate their Spa type at different venues and in several conditions. “We want a powerful weekend in each single situations: Moist, inter, slicks, lengthy stint, brief stint – that we’re at all times there,” he stated.

“It’s good for us. Now we now have to know why we’re extra comfy on some tracks than some others.

Nevertheless he believes “all people is in the identical scenario” within the pack behind Crimson Bull. “We’re all a bit inconsistent as a result of you’ve gotten one or two tenths between the P2 and the P11. It implies that for traits or for tyre administration or stage of downforce that you simply select initially of the weekend, you are able to do a really sturdy one or a poor one.

“We don’t have to attract any definitive conclusion however I feel it is going to be like this till the tip of the season, and we now have to be extra constant to know the place we’re weak, why we’re weak, and to attempt to minimise this type of weekend.”

One encouraging signal for Ferrari of their efficiency at Spa was the actual fact Lewis Hamilton wasn’t capable of catch Leclerc through the grand prix. Mercedes’ tyre administration has often been superior to Ferrari’s this yr.

Vasseur stated their improved tyre life was a consequence of the automobile’s superior efficiency at Spa. “Generally it’s simply that whenever you don’t have the tempo, it’s a must to over-push,” he defined.

“Everyone is managing, even Crimson Bull have been managing loads through the race. And whenever you don’t have the tempo it’s a must to handle or, when you push, you harm the tyres. However it’s the primary driver of the scenario. Like, for the technique, it’s a lot simpler to have a very good technique when the tempo is there than whenever you don’t have the tempo.

“While you don’t have the tempo, you are able to do no matter you need, you may be distant. And for tyre deg it’s virtually the identical. When the tempo is there, it’s a lot simpler to handle. While you don’t have the tempo, it’s a must to push.”

2023 Belgian Grand Prix

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