Frédéric Vasseur, commenting on the qualifications Monza, revealed a mixture of satisfaction and hope for the performance of Ferrari, which missed pole position by less than two tenths. Leclerc will start from the second row in fourth position, with Sainz immediately behind in fifth, at the end of a session in which the top six drivers closed within a margin of a few hundredths of a second. A result that shows how unpredictable and competitive the current championship is.
Vasseur's feelings after qualifying at Monza
Vasseur underlined how the Monza circuit represents a unique testing ground: a track that requires top speed and a very specific aerodynamic set-up. “We are close, very close,” explained the Ferrari team principal to Sky Sport F1, referring to the competitiveness of his team. “Unfortunately we didn’t get pole, but we know that on this track the lower downforce can make the difference.” Despite the difficulties encountered, the Scuderia showed signs of progress compared to previous races, demonstrating that it can compete with the best.
In the race, Leclerc and Sainz will have to attack from the first corners, making the most of the SF-24's top speed, hoping that the race pace is close enough to that of their opponents. The main objective will be to resist the pressure of the McLarens, who will start from the front row, and take advantage of the opportunities against the Mercedes, considered more attackable throughout the race.
Ferrari's plan: focus on top speed
During the interview with sky sports f1, Vasseur highlighted how Ferrari’s strategic choice to focus on a low-downforce set-up could prove decisive in managing the race: “We have chosen to work with less downforce to favor top speed, which will be crucial on the long straights of Monza. This approach could be a significant advantage if we manage to keep the tire management under control. If we manage to push, it will probably be a two-stop race, but we are prepared for both possibilities.”
The Scuderia's team principal also highlighted the challenge that awaits Ferrari: “McLaren did a great job, getting the front row with both drivers. However, we play our cards on the lower downforce, which could allow us to save precious time on the fastest sections of the circuit. We know it will be a tough battle, but we are ready to fight.”
The challenge with McLaren and Mercedes
McLaren presents itself as the main candidate for victory in the Monza Grand Prix, thanks to an excellent performance in qualifying and a technical package that seems to have found the right compromise between aerodynamic load and top speed. The higher downforce set-up chosen by the British team could however prove to be a double-edged sword, especially with regard to tyre management. McLaren's drivers could be forced to adopt a more conservative race strategy, or suffer excessive tyre degradation in an attempt to maintain a constant pace.
In the meantime, Ferrari will also have to watch its back from Mercedes, who despite not having shown explosive pace in qualifying, could prove more consistent in the race. Vasseur reiterated that the Maranello team will focus on attacking, trying to exploit every opportunity to overtake its direct rivals.
The challenge in the world championship and the unknown tyrese
This Grand Prix is also an important opportunity for the drivers' and constructors' championship standings. McLaren aims to close in on Red Bull, taking advantage of the Austrian team's difficult moment. Ferrari, for its part, hopes to maintain its position, exploiting its strong point: top speed. "We need to understand how much the lower downforce will affect our race," said Vasseur. "If we can manage the tyres well, we can play an important role in this race."
Not only the pilots, but even the Fantamanagers they had to do theirs strategic choices for the Monza weekend at Fanta F1. Many of them have decided to bet on Ferrari, trusting in the Maranello team's top speed and the advantage that could derive from the lower aerodynamic load. Vasseur himself acknowledged after qualifying in Monza that the support of the fans will be fundamental: "Feeling the enthusiasm of the public and their support can make the difference, especially on a circuit like Monza where the passion is really felt."
