Fred Vasseur has stressed the need for Ferrari to produce an unblemished weekend at their home Grand Prix of Monza to guarantee success, following disappointing outcomes at Zandvoort where both Leclerc and Hamilton failed to finish. Following these setbacks, their aim is for them to come out stronger than before in Monza.
Last season, Leclerc secured victory at Monza with strategic advantage against faster McLaren cars; according to Vasseur’s statements however, replicating such results will prove challenging given this season’s highly-competitive atmosphere.
Vasseur: “Emotions must be put aside” at Monza
Vasseur, who has a lengthy tenure in F1 management second only to Toto Wolff, guided Ferrari to a near-win in the constructors championship last year, marking a significant improvement after a tough 2023. He acknowledged the team’s recovery initiated at the Italian GP last year but admits facing a tougher competition this season, especially from McLaren.
While aiming to surpass Mercedes and Red Bull, Ferrari anticipates exploiting their rivals’ weaknesses, despite the track’s characteristics not favoring these teams. Vasseur emphasizes the importance of precision and execution from practice sessions through to the race’s end to achieve their goals.
A Crucial Weekend for Ferrari
The passion and expectations surrounding Ferrari, particularly at Monza, are immense. Despite winning at this venue three times over the past fifteen years, the team faces a formidable challenge this weekend. With a slight points lead over Mercedes and Red Bull posing a constant threat, Vasseur is hopeful for a podium finish to strengthen their championship standings.
Red Bull’s recent performance improvements and Mercedes’ inconsistency provide Ferrari with some hope despite Hamilton’s five-place grid penalty. They must maximize Friday practice session to lay a firm foundation for their weekend campaign.
Ferrari’s ambition at Monza Grand Prix illustrates the critical need for flawless execution amid high expectations and fierce competition.