Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has admitted that the team’s execution during race weekends in Formula 1 in 2025 has not been as strong as it was in the previous season.
Mercedes triumphing last time out in Canada has meant Ferrari remains the sole team among the leading quartet without a Grand Prix win 10 rounds into the season.
Ferrari did prevail in the Sprint Race in China through Lewis Hamilton, but that preceded a double disqualification in the main event amid separate technical violations.
But while Ferrari has since recovered to third in the Constructors’ Championships, 16 points behind Mercedes, the team trails a sizeable 197 points down on McLaren.
Regardless, Vasseur is pleased with the reaction the Italian marque has provided to the setbacks that compounded the SF-25 being less competitive than anticipated.
“We didn’t do a good job on our side,” Vasseur told media including Motorsport Week.
“Just speaking about us – Ferrari – we didn’t do a good job, the couple of races, we had the disqualification in China.
“We were 60 points behind Red Bull and Mercedes at this stage of the season. And overall, I think we had a decent recovery, at least compared to Red Bull, Mercedes.
“Compared to McLaren, they are still one step ahead. It means we have to continue to try to do a better job each day and improve.”
Ferrari’s decline not all down to pace
However, Vasseur reiterated that Ferrari getting back on terms with McLaren isn’t all dependent on the developments that the team will introduce in the coming races.
Alongside the relative competitiveness, the Frenchman has claimed the Maranello-based squad has regressed when it comes to maximising its points each weekend.
“I had the feeling that on some occasions this year, we missed opportunities, and we didn’t do the same level of job as we did last year, let’s say,” he added.
“And this, clearly, we need to improve. But it’s true that if you want to win the championship – and I think it’s a good lesson of 2024 – you can’t leave points on the way.
“Last year, we had a double DNF in Canada. We had a couple of events with DNFs and issues, and it’s where we have to improve, clearly.
“But I think it’s difficult to say because we are still behind McLaren. The target is to be P1. But I think we are improving from the beginning of the season to today.”
Has McLaren surge skewed Ferrari perception?
Vasseur, though, has implied that he concurs with Charles Leclerc’s assessment that McLaren’s improvement has warped the perception surrounding Ferrari’s results.
“The initial goal was to fight for the championship, but I think it’s true for us, it’s true for McLaren, for Red Bull, for Mercedes,” he conceded.
“We are all in this mood to fight for the championship at the beginning of the season.
“I think if you compare with expectations, probably McLaren is one step ahead compared to everybody.”
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