The weekend at Suzuka was once again not one for Ferrari to write home about. Although Charles Leclerc finished one place higher in Japan compared to the GP China, Ferrari still needs to ‘improve everywhere’, according to the team boss. This is especially the case for the qualifications, which Vasseur believes are becoming increasingly crucial for achieving a good race result.
There wasn’t much change during the race in Suzuka within the top ten. Eight of the ten best drivers on the Japanese circuit finished in exactly the same place as they started the race. Only Lewis Hamilton was able to overtake Isack Hadjar, which meant the Brit finished one place higher than his eighth starting position. Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur warns that the Formula 1 season threatens to become a ‘qualification championship’.
“The qualification is always crucial for the final race results,” the Ferrari team boss tells Autosport. “The smaller the gap is between cars, the more that is indeed the case. You’re not just fighting with the driver in front of you. So it’s probably going to be a qualification championship.”
Vasseur Remains Confident
It doesn’t seem like Ferrari can seriously compete in that championship yet, after the Scuderia didn’t get higher than a fourth and seventh place for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton respectively at Suzuka. Vasseur admits that Ferrari needs to ‘improve everywhere’ to achieve better results. “We have at least made a step forward compared to the previous race weekend (in China). It’s not an ideal start to the season, but the season is still long. We have 21 races to go.”
