The Formula 1 season is far from over. Despite Max Verstappen’s four victories in six races, Red Bull is no longer in the comfort zone of the previous season, according to Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur. “This is an opportunity for us.”
The Miami Grand Prix, won by McLaren driver Lando Norris, is a harbinger for the rest of the season, according to Vasseur. Last year, Red Bull won 21 out of 22 races, but the Frenchman predicts they won’t come close to that this season. His team has also already won a race this season, in Australia, thanks to Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen dropped out due to brake problems. In Miami, it was the first time in a long time that the three-time world champion from Red Bull was beaten on the track.
“I think Red Bull still has a lead over the competition,” Vasseur believes. But according to him, the gap is now bridgeable. “If we are able to do good work and bring everything together, we are there. It means that we are now in a position to put them under a bit of pressure and they have to be more aggressive with their strategy.”
‘We still need to take a small step’
After his first F1 victory in Miami, Lando Norris predicted that more victories will follow soon and that he expects McLaren to compete for the title by 2025. Vasseur does not make such bold statements (yet). However, the colorful Ferrari team boss speaks of a game changer.
Vasseur: “At Red Bull, they are no longer in the comfort zone of last season, when it didn’t really matter what happened. After the first or second round, they were already ahead. I think the reduction of the gap is a game changer in race management. This is an opportunity for us. If we take one more small step, we are in a very good position to fight with them every weekend.”
