Ferrari is ready to get back into the game in Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, after a first part of the season marked by mixed results and a drop in competitiveness compared to its main rivals. The summer break offered the Scuderia the necessary time to analyze the difficulties and work on solutions to improve the performance of the SF-24. With team principal Frédéric Vasseur at the helm, Ferrari heads into the Netherlands with the stated aim of not losing ground to Red Bull and McLaren, who have shown better form in recent races.
Vasseur on the challenge in Holland and the updates
On the eve of the race weekend, Frédéric Vasseur clearly outlined Ferrari's objective for Zandvoort: “The main objective is clear: not to lose ground against our direct opponents. After Budapest and Spa, we have worked hard to better understand our car and we are confident that in Zandvoort we will be able to fight for the top positions again.” Vasseur then added: “The gap to Red Bull has closed over the course of the season, but we know that gradual progress is needed to achieve significant results. We cannot afford to leave points by the wayside and we must make the most of every opportunity that comes our way."
The Ferrari team principal also spoke about the next upcoming updates: “We are pushing hard to bring something and we will do it as soon as possible. Fixing the rebound is a step forward in performance.” Vasseur drew a parallel with Mercedes at Spa: “I think Spa is a great example for everyone: Mercedes was really in difficulty on Friday, but as soon as you fix something you can recover from P7 to P1. We are insisting that we must pay attention to every single detail.”
The challenges of the first part of the season and the return to Monza
The first half of 2024 was characterized by numerous challenges for Ferrari, which started the year with good results, such as victories in Australia and Monaco, but then faced a decline in performance also due to the return of porpoising. The package of updates introduced in Barcelona, in fact, brought with it more problems than solutions, revealing critical issues that had not emerged in the wind tunnel tests. The bouncing of the car required changes to the settings which did not always give the desired results, further complicating the situation. Despite these difficulties, Vasseur assured that the team is working intensely to resolve these problems and resume the fight for the top positions in the second part of the season.
Looking ahead, Vasseur identified the Monza weekend as a crucial opportunity for Ferrari: “We also have a good segment of tracks for us, with Monza, Baku and Singapore, tracks suited to the characteristics of the car. The most important thing is to score points. The goal for Spa-Francorchamps was not to lose points to McLaren and Red Bull, and it will be the same in Zandvoort. I am convinced that the next three or four races will be much better for us.” The team is therefore confident in a return to the top on circuits that are best suited to the SF-24, aiming to recover ground and relaunch itself in the fight against Red Bull and McLaren.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
