Frederic Vasseur rejects track excuse after Ferrari's debacle in China

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur shouldered the blame for his team's disappointing performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, refusing to use the unique track conditions as an excuse.

The Shanghai circuit was resurfaced with a bitumen coating before the race, a development that caught Ferrari's tyre supplier by surprise. This new surface caused significant track evolution throughout the weekend, making it difficult for teams to find optimal tyre grip. "It can't be an excuse, it was the same for everybody," Vasseur declared to media outlets, including RacingNews365.

Vasseur acknowledged the challenges presented by the resurfaced track. "It is true that it was the first time we came to Shanghai with this generation of car, the coating or painting of the tarmac didn't help as there was huge track evolution over the weekend," he explained.

It is absolutely not an excuse: Frederic Vasseur

However, Vasseur emphasized that all teams faced the same situation. "But it is absolutely not an excuse as everyone is in the same situation, and some teams managed it better," he stressed. This pointed to a failure on Ferrari's part to adapt their strategy or car setup to effectively handle the changing track conditions. Vasseur concluded by stating Ferrari's need for improvement. "It means we have to understand if we can do a better job," he said. This suggests that Ferrari will analyze their performance at the Chinese Grand Prix to identify areas where they can improve their adaptability to unforeseen circumstances.

Vasseur's comments highlight the importance of tyre strategy and car setup in Formula One. While external factors can play a role, a team's ability to adjust to those factors is crucial for success. Ferrari's struggles in China indicate a need for them to refine their approach in these situations to keep pace with their competitors