Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur raises the bar, affirming that the team is not far off the pace at Suzuka. He also weighed in on the weekend’s weather conditions
Ferrari’s start to the season has, so far, been the most challenging since Vasseur took charge. After an impressive 2024, the Frenchman had promised a title-contending car for this year—one expected to immediately challenge McLaren. However, that promise has yet to materialize. All hopes are now pinned on the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, a venue where the Prancing Horse hasn’t claimed victory since 2004—an agonizing 21-year drought.
Friday’s running, while somewhat inconclusive, was enough to suggest that McLaren remains the team to beat in Japan. Nevertheless, the mood in Maranello is cautiously optimistic. Ferrari was pleased with the performance in Free Practice and is now aiming high for Saturday’s qualifying session. A pole position is the goal—if not an outright necessity. Achieving it will be a tall order, given McLaren’s strength, but Vasseur and his drivers are not ruling it out.
Vasseur: “Wind Will Be a Key Factor Tomorrow”
Weather has always been a variable at Suzuka, and this year is no exception. Forecasts suggest a 50% chance of rain for Sunday’s race. However, what seems to concern Vasseur more than the rain—especially after the wet conditions seen in Melbourne—is the wind, which is expected to play a major role in Saturday’s qualifying.
Speaking on the weather, Vasseur commented:” Tomorrow the wind will shift by 180°, completely changing the car’s balance. It will be very difficult for the drivers to manage. Hopefully, the conditions work in our favor.” “.
Commenting on the SF-25’s performance in practice, Vasseur added:”It was very difficult to piece everything together. Charles and Lewis are happy with the balance. We’re not far from McLaren. Judging by this morning’s pace, Hamilton looked very strong, but it’s hard to make any concrete assessments based on today’s conditions. We’re very close—certainly to Red Bull and Mercedes as well“.
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari HP