Ferrari tackles the finale in Abu Dhabi highly motivated. On the paper the track layout suits the machine and everyone at Maranello and on track is focused and determined.

In their fight with McLaren for the constructors’ title, Qatar GP was crucial.
As Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finished third and 10th respectively, Ferrari took home a bigger points haul than McLaren and closed the gap in the constructors’ standings to 21 points.

When asked at Lusail if he was pleased with this outcome – Vasseur stated: “We are scoring more points than McLaren, we are still alive for the championship, Charles is not far away now from Norris I think in P2 on the drivers’ side. Overall it’s a good result.

In terms of whether the pressure is more on their rivals than themselves heading into Abu Dhabi – and whether this could prove beneficial in their own title bid – Vasseur said: “I would prefer to have 20 points ahead than 20 points behind! But let’s see, I think on paper that the next one is probably a bit better for us also. Let’s fight until the last corner of the last lap.”

“It’s not a matter of pressure, it’s a matter of doing a good job and to be quick and then we’ll see. We were able to do a one-two some weekends during the season, we will to try to do better than this.

“The most important thing is to be focused on ourselves, not to start to think about what the others are doing and so on because then you are losing a little bit the pace of the weekend.

“At least this weekend the approach was very good, because we are in the mix of the championship we stayed focused on our car, on our strategy and not thinking too much about what McLaren or Red Bull is doing.”

Regarding Yas Marina Circuit that seems to suit better the SF-24, Vasseur was cautious: “It’s true that on paper for different reasons, the track temp or the layout of the track, we are probably in a better shape, but it’s not always true. Tyre management will be very important.

“We’ll have to do the job, we’ll have to put everything together. It’s always a challenge, but we will go in Abu Dhabi with huge motivation.”

Photo: Courtesy of Scuderia Ferrari