Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur believes that even though Red Bull is still ahead, the gap is tighter and on some weekends they are more under pressure compared to last year.
In 2023, the Milton Keynes outfit dominated every single race – Singapore excluded -. No matter their starting position, especially with Max Verstappen, Red Bull could easily beat the competition at every venue.
This year, Vasseur feels that if Ferrari, or another team like McLaren as we’ve seen in Miami, can put everything together, then Red Bull feels more under pressure and must exit their comfort zone to fight for the win.
“Honestly, Red Bull is still ahead. Probably Max could have won today without the story of the safety car. They did the pole position, which means they still have a small advantage.
“What is true is that compared to one year ago, when we are able to do a good job and to put everything together, we are there. It means we are putting them a little bit under pressure, they have to be a bit more aggressive with the strategy.
“They are not anymore in the comfort zone of last year where it doesn’t matter what happens and after lap two they were in front.”
Being closer to Red Bull is “a game-changer” as Vasseur called it. The latter also hopes to challenge the Milton Keynes squad even more after the new upgrades that will debut in Imola, Ferrari’s home race.
“This is an opportunity for us because if we are doing another small step, that we will be really in a position to fight with them every single weekend.”