An incredible performance. Ferrari shines again and does so in the Italian dawn with a super double. Carlos Sainz wins the Australian GP finishing ahead of his teammate Leclerc and Lando Norris' McLaren. Although only in the third race of the season, it is a success that allows the Red team to get very close in the standings to Red Bull, a big defeat at the weekend in Melbourne with the Verstappen's retirement. At the end of the Australian GP, Frederic Vasseur wanted to analyze the great performance of the two Ferrari drivers in the classic exclusive interview with Sky Sports F1.
Vasseur in the interview after the Australian GP
Vasseur, with Verstappen on the track would there always have been a 1-2 Ferrari?
“I don't know this and nobody knows this. If we make a comparison with Perez's pace we can say that it was manageable. We have to enjoy what happened: we still have 21 races to fight with Verstappen."
How do you rate the pace you had during the weekend?
“The pace was strong from the start. One of the cleanest weekends since I've been here. We have always been very consistent: today in the race we did very well. Charles also set the fastest lap. We have to build the rest of the season starting from here: the balance was right from Friday and it made the difference. Everything went great from start to finish."
Now do you understand exactly how the machine works?
“For now we'll enjoy this weekend, then we'll talk about the future. The car is more easily readable and more easily improved over the course of the weekend than last year. However, it is really too early to reach any conclusions: the path is still very long."
What will your program be now?
“We are only at the beginning. The key thing is to understand the car and get the best. There is still room for improvement but this applies to everyone. Then the developments will start. Without winter testing we need several weekends to understand the car. Suzuka will already be different: today's result doesn't mean we'll do well there too, but we have to continue to improve and develop. The team is more than motivated and we will continue like this."
What difference was there between Sainz and Leclerc regarding tire management?
“It was the racing circumstances. Leclerc started a little behind and we had to copy Piastri. In the last stint he also went very well. It wasn't that easy to overcome."
Is a fight with Red Bull for the championship possible?
“Too early to say. We have taken a step forward compared to last year. If we make the comparison with Melbourne 2023 it is obvious that the difference is enormous. But now we're heading to Suzuka: we have to build everything from Friday. For now I say: a good step forward but we must continue like this. We're not there yet."
Has Sainz taken a further step forward? What is the key to this success?
“Since the beginning of the season I have been saying that both he and Leclerc are doing very well. This is a necessary emulative process in the team. We saw that Leclerc was faster on Friday, then Carlos was. They are all very intelligent. Everything was perfect."
