As Emilia Romagna GP marked the beginning of the F1’s European leg, every top team strives to bring significant changes. Mercedes, in particular, introduced a few modifications to Miami and Imola. Despite the upgrade package not catapulting them to the top, the Silver Arrows drivers finished at P6 and P7, showcasing their resilience and determination. However, the squad is enduring another underwhelming season as the silverware drought continues.
On the other hand, Ferrari has shown clear signs of improvement. The team’s performance has been phenomenal, highlighted by a victory at the Australian GP. Moreover, the team introduced a few tweaks to its F1 project, helping the drivers to finish on the podium. However, the team chief, Fred Vasseur, has a savage reply for his friend and rival, Toto Wolff.
Ferrari Accelerating Towards Excellence After Podium Finish At Imola
Italian media and Tifosi fans were excited to witness the Prancing horse at their home circuit. The excitement grew further due to the announcement of the upgrade package. Thus, the media and fans believed the SF-24 car would fly through the circuit to clinch the title. However, in reality, both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had a chance to finish at the top, and McLaren drivers stole their spot. However, Fred Vasseur clarified ahead of Imol showdown that the extensive upgrades will not be a ‘game-changer.’ At the same time, he was sure it would help the team inch closer to the top spot. After the Sunday race, Vasseur accepted that they missed out on a few opportunities as the Imola track is challenging to overtake. Additionally, the Ferrari boss remarked that while the Grand Prix itself was perfect, the Saturday qualifying session left room for improvement.
On the other hand, Mercedes, which had an average outing at Imola, prevented Ferrari from claiming the top spot. Carlos Sainz started the race from P4 and safeguarded his spot throughout. The lead was until Oscar Piastri bolted a fresh pair of tires and went past Sainz in a jiffy. However, Vasseur explained how Mercedes drivers were in their mind while modifying the ‘pit-stop’ strategy. Thus, Sainz had to sacrifice the ‘tire advantage,’ as overtaking Hamilton and Russell would have been tricky on the tight corners of Imola. Moreover, after the race, Vasseur was asked about Mercedes’ progress. The Ferrari boss had a savage reply for the Silver Arrows. He said Mercedes was ’28 seconds’ behind Leclerc; thus, it could be counted as progress. It was a sarcastic reply, as Mercedes constantly struggles to get the top place.
Mercedes Trails Behind Yet Remains Steadfastly Optimistic For The Future
Following the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Wolff described the technical team’s vision. He believes the ‘incremental gains’ have helped them improve. Furthermore, the team is not expecting an overnight ‘miracle.’ Instead, the goal is to strike the right balance and improve overall performance.
Previously, the technical director, James Allison, made a similar remark about the team’s accomplishments. He compares the current situation to a “moving conveyor belt” because each team brings upgrades. It’s a race off the track to be somewhat faster than the opposition. While hardly revolutionary, these minor adjustments will improve their drivers’ chances of making it to pole position.