Quoted in the Ferrari preview of Round 3 of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship in Melbourne, Vasseur stated: “After a busy start to the season with consecutive races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, we have now embarked on the longest journey of the year to Australia. The Albert Park circuit is a favorite among the drivers and a place where Ferrari has always received significant support.
“We anticipate being at the forefront on this track, which may result in a similar hierarchy as seen in Jeddah. Our intention is to take an assertive approach with the objective of exerting pressure on the team that has emerged victorious in the first two races,” declared Vasseur.
This declaration from the Scuderia’s leader is a rallying cry for the passionate Ferrari fans, who are accustomed to dominating the F1 Pre-Season Testing Championship but often failing to deliver during the actual season.
While Max Verstappen of Red Bull led his teammate Sergio Perez in both the opening race of the 2024 F1 season in Bahrain and the subsequent race in Saudi Arabia, Ferrari emerged as the best of the rest. At Albert Park, the aim is to surpass their previous performance.
Carlos Sainz secured a third-place finish in Bahrain, but unfortunately, he was struck by appendicitis a week later. The Spaniard had to undergo surgery, which prevented him from participating in the race after struggling through an uncomfortable Friday in the car, bravely attempting to defy the odds and compete.
This unforeseen circumstance led to a change of plans for Oliver Bearman. At just 18 years old, he made history by becoming the youngest-ever driver for the Scuderia, and his seventh-place finish was a remarkable way to announce his arrival on the grandest stage.
However, for now, Bearman’s F1 fairytale has come to an end this weekend as he returns to Formula 2 Down Under. Sainz will reclaim his position in the car and once again share the garage with Charles Leclerc.
The Italian team confirmed, “Carlos Sainz is expected to return to the car after missing Jeddah due to appendicitis. He and teammate Charles Leclerc will likely be battling at the front of the field, as they have done in the first two rounds.”
Leclerc had a solid race in Jeddah, finishing in third place, although he was nearly 20 seconds behind the winner, Verstappen, and five seconds behind Perez in second. Ferrari currently holds the second position in the 2024 F1 Constructors’ standings as they approach Round 3 in Melbourne on Sunday.