Ferrari: Focusing on F1 rival form in Baku would be "a mistake"
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur says the team has to maximise its own potential at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix and not make the "mistake" of focusing on its rivals.
One-lap form will be especially important in Baku as the sprint event will have its own qualifying session on Saturday, so drivers and teams will have to get it right twice.
Ferrari had the second-fastest car over one lap in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia behind Red Bull, but it stumbled in Australia, where both Mercedes and Aston Martin were ahead.
Vasseur says that the team has to concentrate on optimising its own performance and not be distracted by rivals.
“To be focused on Red Bull or Mercedes or Aston Martin, I think it would be a mistake,” said the Frenchman.
“We have to get the best from what we are doing, and to be focused on ourselves. But we made a good step for me between race two and race three.
“And if we're able to bring a couple of updates... I think the issue in Melbourne was not the potential of the car, it was more the job that we did as a team to extract the best from this, and that we have to be focused on this.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23
Photo by: Ferrari
“Baku will be crucial, because in Baku you have the two qualifyings and the two races and we have to be able as a team to do a better job and to attract the best potential of the car.
“Then the layout of the track in Baku is completely different. But most important is to get the best from what we are doing, and to be focused on ourselves not on the others.”
Vasseur acknowledged that the challenging street venue is not an easy track to get right, but he remains hopeful that recent changes to the SF-23 will pay dividends.
“I will never say what we did on the car and what was the impact on the behaviour of the car,” he said.
“But for sure we are looking for something a bit more consistent. And I think that we achieved it.
“I want to have the confirmation in Baku that we're in a different situation. Baku very often is an extreme track, because it's windy, and between the buildings the wind is changing completely direction from corner to corner. And it will be a good exercise for everybody.
“But I think we took the right direction in Melbourne, and we have to confirm it next race."
Share Or Save This Story
Krack: Aston Martin F1 team no longer in “no-man’s land”
Gasly rues costly floor damage from Ocon contact in F1 Japanese GP
How an F1 underachiever became a Japanese political player
"We love V8s" - What F1 manufacturers think about future engine regulations
How Leclerc’s hardest critic is always himself
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
Why Nurburgring 24 Hours agony may motivate Verstappen to return
Final Catalan GP results as five riders penalised and Mir loses MotoGP podium
Acosta slams Catalan GP calls: “It’s awful we acted as if nothing happened”
DS Penske solid despite frustrating finish in Monaco E-Prix
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments