Fred Vasseur claims McLaren’s ‘development is not better than’ Ferrari despite finishing way-behind Lando Norris at Spanish GP

Ferrari has so far amassed 270 points in the constructors championship.

Fred Vasseur claims McLaren’s ‘development is not better than’ Ferrari despite finishing way-behind Lando Norris at Spanish GP

Fred Vasseur and Lando Norris (Via: Imago)

The Ferrari F1 team has surprisingly, been on a downward trajectory since the Monaco Grand Prix. Things have just not panned out well for them for one reason or another, and with McLaren steadily rising, Fred Vasseur has made it known that the papaya’s are not on a better development trajectory than his team.

At the recently concluded Spanish GP, McLaren’s MCL38 was in menacing form, especially in the hands of star driver, Lando Norris. The Brit put the challenger through the absolute wringer (P2) and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were not really able to make much of an impression.

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However, despite this, Vasseur feels his team is on a better development trajectory.

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In Great Britain last year McLaren finished 25 seconds ahead of us, so I don't think their development is that much better than ours. You could say there was someone better when he was 6 tenths better, but that's no longer the case.
Fred Vasseur via Formu1a.uno

Ferrari had a double DNF in Canada and only managed a fifth and sixth-place finish in Barcelona. This has allowed Norris and Oscar Piastri to close down the gap to the Italian team in the constructors’ championship. As things stand, Vasseur and Co. are only 33 points ahead of the Woking-based outfit.

Fred Vasseur stresses the need for Ferrari to improve in ‘qualifying’

While Vasseur has downplayed the idea of McLaren outperforming Ferrari in the development war, he feels his team needs to start performing better, especially in qualifying. In Barcelona, Leclerc and Sainz ended their quali exploits on the third row.

Carlos Sainz, Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)
Carlos Sainz, Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

Moreover, even Mercedes’s W15 proved faster than the much-improved SF-24.

A lot depends on the Qualifying, especially in races like these where it is difficult to overtake. I'm sure if we had started P3-P4 we would have been in front. If I had to point to one area where I could improve, I would say Saturday.
Fred Vasseur said in the same interview

After 10 rounds, the F1 extravaganza has moved to Speilberg for this week’s Austrian Grand Prix. The Red Bull Ring is an extremely fast racing circuit where top speed plays a key role. The SF-24 has proved quite lethal in a straight line this year, but keeping in view the progress of rival teams, nothing can be said for certain as to where Ferrari would ultimately end up. However, no matter what happens, the event in all likelihood will turn out to be a worthwhile watch from the point of view of the fans.

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