Ferrari’s Performance on Par with McLaren, Says Team Principal Vasseur
Budapest, Hungary – Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that while Ferrari’s car has significantly improved this season, it still struggles to match the consistent performance levels exhibited by McLaren.
In the recent race, Lando Norris claimed victory, leading a McLaren one-two finish. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first pole position of the season and led the early stages of the race. However, a late decline in performance resulted in Leclerc finishing fourth, despite a promising podium finish in Belgium.
"It’s mega difficult to predict, also because I think the picture of one day is not necessarily true the next weekend," remarked Vasseur. He emphasized the importance of consistency, stating, "We are consistently on it – not the last stint… If we are back in qualifying, it means that we will fight with them."
Despite a strong qualifying performance, Ferrari’s inconsistency persists. Vasseur noted, "The advantage that they have today is that they are always there… We need to be very consistent in every single condition."
Vasseur indicated that the complexities of track position and dirty air in Budapest distorted a full evaluation of race pace against McLaren. He commented on the team’s first stint: "We were even able to extend a little bit when we were under pressure. That means that it’s even worse for the frustration… We could have done a couple of laps more at the same pace."
With the summer break approaching, Ferrari’s challenges remain clear: achieving a reliable performance that can consistently compete with McLaren’s unwavering speed.
