Ferrari analysing Verstappen’s Monaco strategy as Vasseur looks ahead to decisive qualifying session – Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur has revealed that the team will examine the contrasting approach used by Max Verstappen and Red Bull during Friday practice in Monaco, despite downplaying suggestions that Ferrari should be considered favourites for the weekend.
With qualifying expected to be decisive around the streets of Monte Carlo, Vasseur believes there is still significant work to do before the true competitive order becomes clear.
Ferrari entered the Monaco Grand Prix weekend carrying strong expectations after encouraging pace in practice, particularly in slower-speed sections of the circuit. However, Vasseur was quick to dismiss any suggestion that Friday’s performance offered meaningful indications about the outcome of the weekend.
“I’m not interested in those reports at all,” Vasseur told F1TV when asked about Ferrari being labelled the team to beat. “We just have to get the job done. It’s still a very long way from Friday, first towards qualifying and then the race.”
Ferrari focused on Monaco’s evolving track conditions
According to Vasseur, one of Monaco’s biggest challenges remains predicting how rapidly the circuit evolves throughout the weekend.
“The hardest thing is that you have to anticipate how the track will evolve and how the grip will change,” he explained. “You always have to think one session ahead. That’s a serious challenge for the team and the drivers. There is still a long way to go and we’ll see how things really stand tomorrow afternoon.”
Track evolution traditionally plays a significant role in Monaco, where grip levels increase dramatically as more rubber is laid down on the circuit. As a result, teams often spend practice sessions gathering data not only for immediate performance but also to prepare for changing conditions during qualifying.
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Verstappen and Red Bull take a different approach
One of the more intriguing observations from Friday came from Red Bull’s approach to running.
While Ferrari generally focused on isolated qualifying simulations, Verstappen repeatedly remained on track for multiple consecutive push laps. The strategy allowed the reigning world champion to improve his lap time across several attempts without returning to the pits.
The approach was aided by Monaco’s unique characteristics. Unlike many circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, energy management is less critical around the tight street circuit, allowing drivers to complete performance laps with a fuller battery charge.
“We saw different approaches to setting fast lap times today,” Vasseur noted.
“Some drivers stayed on the track and drove several fast laps in succession, whilst others drove fewer laps. This also has to do with track position and the cars in front of you. We need to investigate this and see how we prepare for qualifying.”
The comments suggest Ferrari is actively evaluating whether Red Bull’s method could offer advantages when qualifying arrives, even if the characteristics of the two cars differ significantly.
Why Ferrari may not benefit in the same way
Despite Vasseur’s interest, Ferrari’s car appears to generate tyre temperature more effectively than the Red Bull.
Throughout the season, Verstappen has occasionally struggled to extract maximum grip from his tyres immediately, often requiring additional preparation laps before reaching peak performance. That pattern appeared again during Friday practice, with the Dutchman becoming progressively faster over multiple laps.
Ferrari, by contrast, tends to bring its tyres into the optimal operating window much more quickly. As a result, the Scuderia may gain less from remaining on track for extended qualifying runs compared to Verstappen and Red Bull.
The differing characteristics could ultimately limit Ferrari’s ability to directly copy the strategy, even if the team concludes there are lessons to be learned.
Hamilton and Leclerc provide further encouragement
Vasseur also praised both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following a positive start to the weekend.
Hamilton has looked increasingly comfortable within Ferrari’s environment, something Vasseur believes is critical to the team’s overall competitiveness.
“That is absolutely crucial, also for the team’s competitiveness,” he said. “It’s also good that both drivers have a good relationship. That helps the team, including with the development of the car. Things are going well at the moment, but the most important thing is that we have the right momentum in qualifying.”
The Ferrari boss also welcomed the recent multi-year contract extension signed by Leclerc, describing continuity as an important signal both internally and externally.
“It’s very good and positive news for the team and for Ferrari, and I think for Charles too,” Vasseur said. “It’s important to maintain continuity. We have a very good working relationship. We know each other well and he has now been with the team for eight years.”
“Building such a project sends a strong message to everyone in the team and to the paddock.”
Leclerc recently confirmed that several rival teams had shown interest in signing him, making Ferrari’s long-term commitment to the Monegasque one of the most significant driver market developments of the season.
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