Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, expressed optimism following the team’s standout qualifying performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix, labeling it their best of the current season. This significant achievement comes as both Ferrari drivers secured impressive grid positions, with Charles Leclerc starting in second place and Lewis Hamilton directly behind him in third.
“This is a good one, probably the best from the beginning of the season, even if we did the pole in Budapest,” Vasseur remarked during an interview with the official Formula 1 channel. He noted that the team showed consistent form throughout the qualifying sessions, maintaining strong performances from Q1 through Q3. Additionally, the team has managed to conserve an extra set of soft tires for Leclerc, which could prove advantageous in the race.
Vasseur highlighted the importance of a solid practice session leading into qualifying, a factor he believes greatly influenced the team’s performance in Mexico. “Starting on a good footing makes it much easier to fine-tune everything compared to having a difficult Friday,” he explained, referring to previous races where the team struggled, such as in Austin.
Looking ahead to the race, Vasseur recalled Ferrari’s experiences from last year’s Mexican Grand Prix when Carlos Sainz Jnr took victory from pole position. He emphasized the importance of a clean start this time around, especially after last year’s incident where Leclerc faced contact on the first turn. “Let’s try to have a good start; it’s important,” he stated, signifying that a smooth beginning could be key to their success.
Vasseur prefers having both cars in front rather than a mixed performance within the field, recognizing that starting strong creates a much better foundation going into race strategy. He urged the team to remain strategically sound, emphasizing that the unique conditions in Mexico require careful planning regarding cooling, clean air, and positioning during the race.
With the promise of strategic depth and the potential for a strong showing, Ferrari looks poised for a competitive race this weekend, aiming to build on their promising qualifying results.