F1 News: Ferrari boss WARNS Red Bull over title fight

Sainz and Pérez during press conference for Bahrain testing — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Ferrari boss WARNS Red Bull over title fight

Fred Vasseur doesn’t believe that Red Bull are too far away in fight at the top

Shay Rogers

Wednesday 13 March 2024 09:57

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur believes that his team are gradually catching Red Bull in the fight at the top of the Formula 1 field.

The Scuderia have made glaring progress over the last 12 months and are now able to compete for podiums at every grand prix.

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The SF24 has dramatically improved the way it treats the Pirelli tyres, producing a better setup window for drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to work with.

As they bring upgrades to their car, they should be able to close the gap even further to the dominant Red Bull – ending their streak of nine consecutive victories.

Fred Vasseur has been Ferrari boss for two seasons

Carlos Sainz missed the Saudi GP with appendicitis

Charles Leclerc pushes the SF24 at Jeddah

Vasseur: The feeling is more positive

Speaking with optimism about their chances for the rest of the year, Fred Vasseur was positive about where they lie currently.

“In quali they have perhaps two/three tenths on us, and in the race a bit more,” he said. “But it's difficult to estimate because we don't know if they were pushing at the max.

“But the feeling is more positive that, if you come back in this region, you know if you do a step, you can put some pressure on them.

“When we were at one second [behind] it was useless, but now with a good start we can be there, we can fight.”

The upcoming Australian Grand Prix should signal their best chance to fight with Red Bull all season, owing to its lack of long straights and plenty of medium speed corners.

It’s unknown whether Carlos Sainz will return to the car or whether Ollie Bearman will take his seat after an appendicitis operation, but Charles Leclerc has proven by virtue of qualifying on the front row in both races so far, that he can produce a lap out of nowhere and might be able to snag a pole position.