Can Ferrari prove its return at Monaco? Fred Vasseur opens up ahead of the Race Weekend

This Formula 1 season has been an impressive one for some of the rookies and teams who easily dip into the podium pool, while some principals have raised their early concerns and admitted about where they are lagging in the larger picture. 

The Monaco Grand Prix is right around the corner while it is widely known that Ferrari has been lagging behind with two prominent and established drivers in seat struggling with their cars and McLaren, finding great consistency from Lando and Piastri, the team principals have something to comment ahead of the weekend heat. 

Collectively, it is a sight to the sore eyes to watch Charles win the Monaco Grand Prix, his first win at home in 2024. While the win was special for Charles and Ferrari, it is no doubt that the race was nothing special with all the ten positions ranked as they were qualified with drivers finding it difficult to overtake in the tight turns of the Monaco Circuit. 

Ferrari’s lack of performance in the season comes from a combination of factors such as engine performance, aerodynamics issue, the cars’ setup among others. Team Principal Fred Vasseur commented about the cars saying, “I don’t think that we have the best car. Even when we are in good shape in the race, we are not faster than the McLaren.”

Although both Charles and Lewis have maintained their paces while struggling with the car, especially with the braking system complaint from both the Ferrari seats from the disappointing quali and the following race. Scuderia Ferrari now have no choice but to succumb to admission for what their cars possess and how the system makes it difficult for the drivers to push through in such harsh conditions. 

“There is a bit of frustration for us. For sure, we need to put all our effort on this. Next weekend, Monaco, on Saturday evening, it will be almost done”, said Vasseur post the Emilia Romagna GP while stating how the building the tyres for Monaco is different, hoping for a much needed redemption. Drivers must use three different tyres, two different components if it is not raining in the notorious Circuit de Monaco.

Andrea Stella of McLaren also commented that his team are approaching Monaco “in the same way, with the same tools, with the same kind of thought process, compared to how you would approach an event.” While Stella was also concerned about the wet track, he was okay with the rule changes about the mandatory two stop change. 

Monaco Grand Prix is set for 25 – 26 May 2025 with two practices listed at 23 May and the Qualifying happening on 24 May in Monte Carlo.