A victory that was needed. It was needed here I go Ferrari, to Carlos Sainz and Frederic Vasseur. The redhead says hello Singapore ahead of everyone with the #23 SF-55 finishing ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. Fourth, however, Charles Leclerc who is missing the podium again this weekend. Ferrari team principal Frederic is analyzing what happened in Singapore Vasseur, spoke exclusively to Sky Sport F1.
Vasseur: “Group victory. Sainz was exceptional"
Fred, how does it feel to get your first win of this season?
“It's a great feeling. We are talking about a victory that comes after a very difficult first part of the season and for this I am very happy. Today was a bit unexpected but I'm really happy: Carlos was truly exceptional, as was the team. Congratulations to everyone."
Did the strategy work in every way?
“The plan was to put the two cars in front, which is why we started with the softs for Leclerc. When the safety came, Charles lost positions while Carlos, having to do 40 laps on the Hard tyres, managed great and in the end we won".
Did the Mercedes double stop at the end complicate your plans?
“We knew that Mercedes had a set more than us and that we were at risk in case of two safety cars. The pace was enough to keep them behind, although not by much."
Did you have any problems managing the increase in temperature of Charles' engine?
“I think it was the same for everyone. Mercedes also had these problems: when you're in traffic these things happen, but we managed it without problems."
Was Carlos' strategy chosen by him or by the team?
“He was really in control and managing. He understood that to keep Norris in second place he had to give him the DRS. He did everything, but it was the best choice."
Did you expect a Ferrari like this? Coming to Sainz instead: since the summer break we've been talking about another rider, how has he changed?
“If we look at the first part of the season, I say that on the high-speed tracks we did very well, while we suffered much more on the low-speed tracks. Here the temperature of the tires matters much more and I think we did an excellent job. Since Monza, Carlos has been on the ball since FP1 and this is helping us to structure the weekend better."
Did you imagine your first victory like this?
“I'm not a dreamer at all, that's why I hadn't thought about my first victory (laughs, ed.)”.
What to expect from Suzuka?
“I think we've made a couple of steps forward: one in Zandovort, which was good in terms of understanding. But now we don't have to draw a conclusion here. Suzuka will be another weekend and we will start from scratch, we certainly won't become world champions now, but we have put at least a small piece forward."
