Vasseur warns Ferrari’s SF-24 may struggle in Qatar’s demanding conditions, as Losail’s layout and heat pose major challenges this weekend.
Ferrari still has a chance for the Constructors’ Championship, and team principal Frédéric Vasseur hopes to achieve strong performances on a circuit that is likely to be less suited to the SF-24s of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
“The second race of this final triple-header of the season takes us from the cold desert of Las Vegas, where we reduced the gap to McLaren to 24 points in the championship, to the much hotter climate of Losail,” Vasseur said.
“Aside from the temperature change, the circuits themselves couldn’t be more different, as we go from a track with tight corners and long straights to a circuit with many high-speed corners, which, on paper, doesn’t play to our strengths.”
“The Qatar Grand Prix is the last Sprint weekend of the year, meaning, as always, the team’s base work becomes more important than usual since there is only one practice session. There are 59 points at stake, but now is not the time for calculations.”
“All we can do is give everything to help Charles and Carlos extract the maximum performance from the SF-24. We have seen, especially in recent races, that Formula 1 as a whole is operating at a very high level right now.”
“Every detail often makes the difference and can overturn the accepted status quo. It’s time to give one final push over the next two weekends, and our drivers, engineers, and everyone in the team, both on track and in Maranello, are ready to give their best!”
The car assembly manager at Maranello, Fabio Bellosi, explains the challenges of Qatar at the end of the season, as the cars are mechanically fatigued: “This race is extremely difficult due to the characteristics of the track and the very hot conditions, typical of a desert climate.”
“Therefore, everything related to engine and brake cooling is crucial and must be managed in the smallest detail. The Losail circuit is also structurally demanding due to the loads placed on the car, the chassis, and in terms of tire management.”
Scuderia employees face a tough Grand Prix in Qatar, dealing with both the heat and the time difference: “For these last two races, staying focused is crucial, as it’s easy to lose concentration at the end of the season. The body has to cope with a significant time zone shift, and we go from very cold conditions in Las Vegas to extreme heat in Qatar.”
“It’s essential to rest as much as possible and adapt quickly to give the best performance. From a logistical standpoint, we are organized in such a way that all team members can take advantage of the early days of the week to relax for a bit.”
The Italian is, of course, honored to represent Ferrari: “It’s a great honor and a source of pride, but it’s also a real responsibility to represent such a prestigious brand and everyone who works so hard for this team. We are the ambassadors of the brand, and we are incredibly proud of that.”
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Vasseur Prepares for Qatar Race with Caution Vasseur Prepares for Qatar Race with Caution
