Fred Vasseur gives stern response to Fernando Alonso’s claims of Ferrari being the ‘team to beat’ in next three races

The Fred Vasseur-led Ferrari Formula 1 team has so far had a very up and down 2024 season.

Fred Vasseur gives stern response to Fernando Alonso’s claims of Ferrari being the ‘team to beat’ in next three races

Fred Vasseur and Fernando Alonso (via IMAGO)

Aston Martin is extremely lacking in performance as compared to 2023. The team has lost major running to the rival teams and is lagging behind Ferrari and Mercedes. Amidst this, Fernando Alonso claimed that Maranello would be the ‘team to beat’ in the coming races. Fred Vasseur has since responded sternly to these bold claims.

Fernando Alonso‘s optimism over Ferrari’s performance against rivals wasn’t appreciated much by Fred Vasseur. The team principal noted that he didn’t need anyone to tell him if his team was everyone’s favorite or not on the grid. Hence, despite the bold claims, Ferrari’s approach would be the same as they hope to be in better shape for the upcoming races.

I don't need anyone to tell me if we are favorites or not. Our approach will be the same. I hope that in the next two or three events we will be in a better shape.
Fred Vasseur told formulapassion.it
YouTube video

Subsequently, Vasseur recalled that the team was exceptionally strong at Monza, Singapore, and Baku in the previous season. Additionally, the short curves of Monza would favor the team to perform even better in the upcoming races. Hence, the Frenchman believed his team wouldn’t face extremely stiff competition from the rivals in the coming races.

FS Video
Last year we were much better off on these tracks. The fact that we go better on short curves will help us.
Fred Vasseur added
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Toto Wolff, Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Fred Vasseur claims Ferrari ‘very far away’ from rivals at the Dutch GP

The two Ferrari drivers only managed a top-five finish at the Dutch GP. As a result, Vasseur noted that the Italian constructor was still ‘very far away’ from other top teams (Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull) in performance. Hence, the Frenchman believed that defeating rivals wasn’t a ‘walk in the park’ for Ferrari.

However, we were very far away, so I would never go to Monza, Baku or anywhere thinking it will be a walk. 
Fred Vasseur noted
Fred Vasseur
Fred Vasseur (via IMAGO)

Ferrari’s struggles haven’t gone unnoticed despite Vassuer’s positivity over the entire matter. The Italian constructor must keep up with the development to emerge victorious over the rivals. McLaren and Red Bull have built a significant gap to Scuderia in the championship standings and thus, the upcoming races are very crucial for them.

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