Vasseur Remains Defiant Despite Ferrari's Double DNF in Brazil

Ferrari's Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, which began with cautious optimism, devolved into frustration and disbelief as both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton failed to finish the race. Team boss Fred Vasseur, despite a disastrous few days at Interlagos, sought to highlight the positives from the performance, affirming the team's fighting spirit.

The Scuderia entered the event embroiled in a tight constructors' battle, but the double DNF allowed Mercedes and Red Bull to pull ahead in the standings. Vasseur openly admitted the result was "very tough to take" but still managed to identify glimmers of promise.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's double DNF at Interlagos is a significant blow to their Constructors' Championship aspirations, especially with Mercedes and Red Bull gaining ground. While the immediate outcome was disappointing, Vasseur's focus on underlying performance, particularly in qualifying and sprint race pace, suggests a determination to maintain momentum and fight back in the remaining races. This resilience is crucial for team morale and their long-term competitive strategy.

The details:

• Leclerc's early exit: Charles Leclerc, starting P3 and showing strong pace, was an innocent victim of a Turn 1 collision between Oscar Piastri and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, forcing his retirement before completing the first lap. Vasseur described it as "very harsh" given Leclerc's potential to fight for a podium or even victory.
• Hamilton's struggles: Lewis Hamilton's race was hampered by early contact with Carlos Sainz and Franco Colapinto, which caused significant damage and a loss of 30-40 points of downforce. Ferrari ultimately retired his car due to the extent of the damage and his position at the back of the field.
• Underlying pace: Despite the DNFs, Vasseur pointed to positive aspects, noting a "decent result" in sprint qualifying, "good pace" in the sprint race, and a strong qualifying performance from Leclerc as indicators of the car's potential.
• Championship impact: The double DNF dropped Ferrari to fourth in the constructors' standings, four points behind Red Bull and 36 adrift of Mercedes, marking a bitter setback as the season nears its conclusion.

What's next:

Vasseur's defiant tone suggests Ferrari will not dwell on this defeat. The team will regroup and prepare for the final triple-header of the year, aiming to rebound and reclaim their position in the championship fight. The focus will be on maximizing performance and avoiding similar incidents to finish the season strongly.