Sainz brought Ferrari back to the podium during the Austrian Grand Prix, ending their recent string of disappointing results. Despite trailing behind their competitors, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur remains optimistic and does not see the situation in a negative light. Sainz secured a third-place finish after starting in fourth position, benefiting from a collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Ferrari began the season as the closest competitor to Red Bull, but their progress in development racing has slowed since then. However, Vasseur believes that the car is more competitive than it appeared in Austria. When asked about the differing opinions of Sainz and his teammate Charles Leclerc regarding Ferrari’s current issues, Vasseur emphasized that the word “problem” is too strong. He highlighted that they were ahead of Norris by one and a half tenths when they were in fourth place, indicating that reducing the gap would change the perception of the situation. Vasseur acknowledged that every car has its own issues, even when performing well, and mentioned that they made significant changes to the car between Saturday morning and afternoon. Overall, he feels positive about the team’s performance and believes that the upcoming training sessions in Silverstone will provide an opportunity to assess their progress. Despite being far behind Max Verstappen in the race, Vasseur had the feeling that they could have achieved more.
Vasseur stated that if Charles Leclerc had qualified without making several mistakes on his final timed lap, the perception around Ferrari’s weekend would be different. However, despite acknowledging that the team is now at a disadvantage, the Frenchman expressed that the Maranello-based team is actively working towards finding solutions.
In Vasseur’s opinion, if they had completed the qualifying lap yesterday, they would have received positive comments, such as being back in the fight with Red Bull and being less than a tenth away from pole position. He emphasizes that this feeling remains the same, regardless of good or bad results, and there is no need to change the mentality or the team based on the outcome.
Ferrari had weekends where they were faster than everyone, on par with Max Verstappen or slightly behind. Vasseur believes that this weekend they started at a lower level, but the team’s reaction was positive. By Saturday afternoon, they were in a much better position. He states that they do not want to change their approach and will continue to push, expressing optimism that Silverstone will be beneficial for them. They have ideas and updates in progress, but the overall approach will remain the same.
Leclerc’s mistakes during qualifying resulted in him starting in seventh position on the grid. A three-wide moment with Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez at turn 1 caused immediate damage to the wing. As a result, Leclerc was unable to recover and finished in 11th place, outside the points. However, Vasseur believes that Leclerc will bounce back next weekend.
When asked if there is any regret considering Leclerc’s potential for a victory if he had qualified in a better position, Vasseur replied that it is part of the game. He acknowledges that there may be regrets at the end of the session, as if they had made a little less effort, they could have achieved a higher position. However, he believes they can be frustrated with Charles when reflecting on the weekend, as they had the potential for a better performance and more points. Nevertheless, Vasseur emphasizes the need to sit down, discuss, and find areas for improvement. He concludes by recognizing that this is just one of the 24 races, and they will come back stronger next week.
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The future of motorsport: flying cars and exciting races
Technological advancements are transforming the world of motorsport into a new era. With the arrival of flying cars, races are becoming even more thrilling. Pilots now have the opportunity to fly through the skies and compete on suspended tracks in the air.
This new racing modality is attracting the attention of millions of fans worldwide. Flying cars are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing pilots to reach incredible speeds and perform risky maneuvers. The races are contested on challenging circuits, with obstacles in the way, making the competition even more exciting.
Furthermore, flying car races are becoming a global sport. Countries from around the world are investing in infrastructure to host these races, which is boosting the economy and creating jobs. The events attract tourists from all over, generating revenue for the host cities.
Flying car pilots are also becoming true celebrities. With their incredible skills and courage to face challenges, they are winning loyal fans and sponsors. The most talented pilots are competing in a series of races, seeking the title of world champion.
However, flying car races also face challenges. Safety is a constant concern, as any failure can have serious consequences. Regulations are being developed to ensure the safety of pilots and the public, but there is still much to be done.
Despite the challenges, the future of motorsport looks promising. With the advancement of technology and the enthusiasm of fans, flying car races are becoming an exciting reality. Get ready for a new era of speed and adrenaline in the world of motorsport.