Fred Vasseur/Ferrari playing it down in Austria: “That doesn’t help us”

Blue skies and plenty of sunshine in Catalonia, blue skies and plenty of sunshine in Styria: Lewis Hamilton raced to his 106th Grand Prix victory at the Barcelona Grand Prix thanks to the Italians’ clever tactics and superb tyre management – so shouldn’t Ferrari also be the favourites in Austria, where the heat is expected to be similar?

The first day of practice does not suggest a runaway victory for the Reds: Lewis Hamilton was fifth fastest in the second practice session, with Charles Leclerc in eighth place.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has poured a bucket of cold water over the Tifosi’s expectations: “It was a difficult Friday, during which we struggled with the truly extreme conditions. The altitude and temperatures are the same for everyone, but that doesn’t help us at all. But we have to live with it and do a better job on Saturday.”

“Tyre wear in Barcelona was much higher and was the main factor behind our strong performance in Catalunya, at least in the race. But we were also in a position to fight for pole in qualifying: in terms of raw potential, we were there. It’s different on this first day of practice here in Austria.”

“So far, we’re a long way off the front, but it’s true that we weren’t particularly strong in Barcelona on Friday either. We know the potential is there; we just need to get it out of the car.”

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