Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has admitted that the team can’t be reliant on pressure impacting McLaren in the battle to take the Formula 1 Constructors’ title in 2024.
The Maranello-based squad has entered the closing round in Abu Dhabi 21 points behind McLaren, but having outscored its main rival four times in the last five races.
Ferrari was braced to lose points at the previous round in Qatar as the SF-24’s relative limitations in high-speed corners were tipped to be exposed at the Lusail circuit.
But while both the McLarens lined up ahead, Charles Leclerc brought his Ferrari home in second place as Lando Norris was penalised for speeding under yellow flags.
Vasseur has stressed Ferrari will continue to fight until the end as it strives to produce a miraculous comeback this weekend to land its first championship since 2008.
“We are still alive for the championship,” Vasseur told media including Motorsport Week post-race in Qatar. “Charles is not far away now from Norris I think.
“Overall, it’s a good result. Now, I would prefer to have 20 points ahead versus 20 points behind.
“I think on the paper that the next one is probably a bit better for also. And let’s fight until the last corner of the last lap.”
Ferrari not banking on McLaren mistakes
Vassuer has also denied that Ferrari might be able to bank on the heightened pressure on McLaren this weekend making its opponents more susceptible to mistakes.
Asked whether McLaren being the team with more to lose could help Ferrari, Vasseur replied: “No, I would prefer to have 20 points in the pocket.
“It’s not a matter of pressure. It’s a matter to do a good job and to be quick. And then we see first, to be focused on ourselves.
“We were able to do 1-2 some weekends during the season, but to try to do better to do this.
“But it’s true that even if you do want to that they can be [the] champion.
“But first, the most important is to be focused on ourselves, not to start to think about what the others are doing and so on.
“Because that you are losing a little bit the pace of the weekend.
“At least this weekend, the approach was very good; we stayed focused on our car, on our strategy, and not thinking too much about what McLaren or Red Bull is doing.”
Ferrari highlights decisive aspect in Abu Dhabi
Vasseur is anticipating the tight margins at the sharp end this season will ensure that tyre management holds a decisive role in the outcome at the Yas Marina Circuit.
“To win,” the Frenchman said on Ferrari’s expectations in Abu Dhabi. “But it’s true that on paper, the track or the layout of the track, we are probably in a better shape.
“But it’s not always true that it’s mainly driven by tyre management at the end, because the delta between the car is so small that the tyre management is taking the lead on everything, and we will have to do the job.
“It’s not a given that will be in a good shape next week in Abu Dhabi, but we’ll have to do the job. We’ll have to put everything together.
“It’s always a challenge, but we will go in Abu Dhabi with huge motivation.”
READ MORE – Ferrari F1 title hopes dashed by Charles Leclerc 10-place grid drop in Abu Dhabi
