Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are focusing on profitable the Constructors’ Championship for Ferrari after a one-two at america Grand Prix catapulted the Italian squad again into competition.
With the thrilling and contentious battle for third place between Drivers’ Championship contenders Max Verstappen and Lando Norris dominating each the race and its aftermath, Ferrari’s very good Sunday in Austin was one thing of an afterthought.
Leclerc inherited the lead on the first nook as Verstappen took himself and Norris broad, and by no means regarded like relinquishing it because the Ferrari eased away from the sphere.
Sainz, who progressed to 3rd on the opening nook, underlined Ferrari’s tempo by comfortably clearing Verstappen to complete properly away from the title-contending pair.
With 5 rounds of the season remaining, together with Dash weekends in Brazil and Qatar with additional factors obtainable, Ferrari have closed to inside 48 factors of McLaren and path Crimson Bull by simply eight.
Given the consistency of McLaren’s automobiles and drivers, after they pulled away from Crimson Bull, who’ve been unable to depend on Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez to ship important factors, the vacation spot of the constructors’ title seemed to be one thing of a formality.
Nonetheless, Ferrari’s exhibiting on a extra typical F1 circuit, suggests they’ve the potential to place the Woking-based squad beneath stress for the rest of the season.
Leclerc and Sainz set ‘optimistic goal’
After claiming his third victory of the season, Leclerc informed Sky Sports activities F1 that catching McLaren is now his most important focus.
“That’s the target,” he mentioned. “I just really hope that we’re going to do that for the rest of the season and then hopefully we can win that Constructors’ Championship.
“It is an optimistic goal however I’d reasonably see it that approach than focusing on the rest. We’ll go for it and see the place we find yourself on the finish of the season.”
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Carlos Sainz mentioned he was ‘proud’ of the weekend after ending second behind team-mate Leclerc at america Grand Prix
Sainz, additionally talking to Sky Sports activities F1, mentioned: “The target is to achieve it.
“I feel McLaren positively have the higher hand with the factors benefit, however, on the identical time, we’re not far sufficient from them for them to get snug, particularly if we preserve doing races like this.”
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur refused to be drawn into expressing the same target as his drivers immediately after the US Grand Prix.
He said: “Deal with the get together first, after which we’ll be centered on Mexico. I feel it is the best strategy.”
The place are Ferrari most probably to impress once more?
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Highlights from america Grand Prix on the Circuit of the Americas
The 2024 Formulation 1 season has produced outstanding fluctuations in type among the many 4 groups which have claimed victories – Crimson Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes.
How the totally different automobiles are suited to totally different circuits has performed a serious function, however equally essential has been the problem of implementing upgrades and immediately with the ability to extract efficiency from them.
Some suspected Ferrari’s sturdy efficiency in Austin was partly right down to the actual fact the opposite three 2024 race-winners had been working upgraded elements, whereas the Italian squad had already had time to get used to the elements they dropped at Monza early in September.
Requested how a lot Ferrari can obtain between now and the top of the season, Leclerc mentioned: “I wish I could tell you exactly, but it’s always difficult because we rely on very small gaps that could make a big difference, so it’s very difficult to predict where we will be in the next few races.
“Nonetheless, we have mentioned since two or three races in Monza, in Baku, in Singapore, we introduced a couple of upgrades and we had been all the time ready for Austin as a result of it was going to be the actual take a look at for these upgrades. And so they appear to be working all good. So that’s optimistic for the longer term.
“It doesn’t mean that we’ll be having every Sunday the way it’s been here, but it means that we are working in the right direction and that can only be positive. So, I hope we can reproduce these kind of results more often.”
Sainz was keen to be extra particular, pinpointing Mexico and Las Vegas as circuits the place he thinks the SF-24 might excel, but additionally expressing concern over Qatar.
“If I would have to bet, I would say Mexico and Vegas are good tracks based on last year,” Sainz mentioned. “I’m basing myself a bit on last year. This year everything seems a bit different.
“Then I feel Qatar goes to be a bit our bogey monitor, if I must guess once more my cash.
“I’m not sure what we can achieve in Abu Dhabi, but let’s see. I just hope this pace shows itself again before the end of the season and gives me another chance of going at it.”
Vasseur expects extra upgrades earlier than finish of season
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Watch the funniest moments from the 2024 US Grand Prix
Vasseur was as soon as extra much less forthcoming than his drivers over Ferrari’s prospects, insisting the crew should “stay calm” amid additional potential fluctuations within the pecking order.
“We are in a tight fight with four teams that nobody can predict,” he mentioned.
“Lewis (Hamilton) was flying in (Sprint) qualy before the yellow flag, until Turn 12 he was miles ahead, then disappeared a little bit during the weekend.
“You might have a number of weekends like this. I bear in mind completely Spa, while you had Crimson Bull six tenths forward in FP1, after which it was McLaren, after which it was us ranging from pole, and on the finish it was Mercedes who received the race.
“It means that we have to always keep the feet on the ground and to stay calm. Each session is different and each race is different. Because you are in good shape this weekend it doesn’t mean you will fly next week.”
It’s uncommon for groups to deliver many upgrades past this stage of the season with focus at factories switching to subsequent 12 months’s automobile, however Vasseur mentioned new Ferrari elements might come as late because the penultimate race of the 12 months in Qatar.
The Frenchman appeared to rule out utilizing new elements in Mexico because of the challenges the excessive altitude of the circuit brings, however left the door open past then.
“Next one is a one off, with the altitude,” he added. “It’s a big challenge in terms of cooling for the brakes and engine.
“I feel Brazil will likely be extra in step with it in all probability.
“Regarding the upgrades, if we have good options, we will do our best to bring something, but it will probably not be for Vegas but more Qatar.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Mexico Metropolis GP schedule
Thursday October 24
9pm: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday October 25
7pm: Mexico Metropolis GP Follow One (session begins at 7.30pm)
9pm: The F1 Present
10.45pm: Mexico Metropolis GP Follow Two (session begins at 11pm)*
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Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix
Saturday October 26
6.15pm: Mexico Metropolis GP Follow Three (session begins at 6.30pm)
9pm: Mexico Metropolis GP Qualifying build-up*
10pm: Mexico Metropolis GP Qualifying*
Sunday October 27
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico Metropolis GP build-up*
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico Metropolis GP response
*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion (Race build-up on Sunday from 7.30pm)
Formulation 1’s Americas triple header continues subsequent weekend with the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, with each session dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
