Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur believes that Lando Norris’ win at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix further proves that McLaren and Ferrari can put Red Bull “under pressure” throughout the 2024 F1 campaign.
Red Bull won all but one Grand Prix in 2023, often at a canter and it wasn’t until Round 16 at Singapore that Carlos Sainz and Ferrari defeated them.
Now, just six Grands Prix into the 2024 campaign and the Max Verstappen/Red Bull combo has been beaten twice, once by lady luck at Melbourne when a rear brake failure halted the Dutchman’s charge early on – paving the way for another Sainz victory – and now in Miami thanks to blistering pace executed by Norris over the closing half of the Grand Prix after a Saftey Car restart.
Does this mean that Red Bull can be put under pressure?
“Yes,” answered Vasseur to the media post-race on Sunday.
“I think it’s almost like this from the beginning of the season depending on the track.
“Red Bull is still ahead. Max [Verstappen] could have won today without the story of the safety car. They have still a small advantage.
“What is true is that compared to one year ago when we were able to do a good job and to put everything together we are there.
“It means that we are putting them a little bit under pressure. They have to be a bit more aggressive with the strategy. They are not anymore in the comfort zone of last year when last year it doesn’t matter what happened. After lap two they were in front.
“I think it’s a game changer in the management of the race. This is an opportunity for us because if we are doing another small step I think that we will be really in position to fight with them every single weekend.”
A lot can change in a year.
The 2023 Miami GP saw Red Bull claim a comfortable 1-2 with Ferrari out of the winning picture and McLaren finishing 17th and 19th respectively.
In 2024, Norris’ maiden victory came thanks to his superior pace to Verstappen in the final stint of the race following a Safety Car, one which if timed more fortuitously for the Scuderia, could have resulted in a red (and blue) Ferrari taking the top prize.
“I want to congratulate Lando and McLaren,” said Vasseur.
“I think that Lando deserves it, that he did last two or three very good seasons.
“And even if I’m fighting with Ferrari, I’m not at McLaren, but I’m quite happy for them because they deserve the success.”
Norris and McLaren’s win could be jotted down into the surprise victor category, given that Verstappen claimed pole position for both the Sprint and Grand Prix, winning the former.
Vasseur however wasn’t surprised, as McLaren’s pace was consistently strong throughout the weekend and several drivers were close in the competitive order.
“It’s not the first time of the season that [McLaren] has strong pace,” he said.
“If you have a look at Melbourne for example, they were fighting with us. Overall, I think you had three teams fighting all weekend in two or three-tenths, from lap to lap or stint to stint or compound to compound.
“Lando overall, I was not surprised. On Friday [McLaren] was there, they brought an upgrade this weekend.
“If you have a look at the last couple of races, they were always there. China had good pace.
“It will be like this until the end of the season. I think that we, McLaren and us, probably catch up a little bit on Red Bull.”
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