Vasseur: Ferrari boosted by Monza energy after Zandvoort setback

After a double DNF at the Dutch Grand Prix, Ferrari’s struggles in Zandvoort highlighted the inconsistency of their campaign, but Vasseur insisted morale is strong: “Well, the mood is positive, honestly. Even if we had a tough weekend last week in Zandvoort – at least a tough Friday – but the recovery was good.

"Even if the race was a double DNF at the end, we left with not a positive number of points, but at least a positive mood and positive approach, with the feeling that we recovered during the weekend. The other advantage is that you don’t have to wait too much for Monza.

"It meant that from Monday morning, we were already in Monza. The mood in general is very good, and we had a positive push from the Tifosi all week, from Monday morning in front of the factory. This is an extra energy and a good one,” said Vasseur.

The Scuderia opened their Monza weekend with a strong FP1 showing, but Vasseur cautioned against reading too much into early times: “With the experience of the season and of the couple of seasons I did, you don't have to draw any conclusions after FP1 – hopefully, because last weekend, we were last.

"It means there's still a long way until the end of quali and even more until the end of the race. We have to stay focused on ourselves, to try to continue to improve the car and the driving, and to try to get the best from what we have. But I will never draw any conclusions after FP1.”

Ferrari have endured a tough run since the summer break, scoring only 12 points from the last two races, all courtesy of Charles Leclerc’s fourth place in Hungary. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is still seeking his first podium in red and arrives at Monza carrying a grid penalty after his Zandvoort crash.

Despite inconsistency and McLaren’s pace advantage, Vasseur stressed Ferrari must be ready to seize opportunities: “I think nobody expected that we could do the pole position – me, the first – in Budapest. We know that the fight is very tight, that we have four teams and perhaps sometimes more able to fight for pole position.

"For sure, McLaren is one step ahead, but it's very difficult for everybody to be consistent. We can have days where they are a step back, and on those days we have to be there. I don’t want to say this one or that one – we have to perform everywhere and get the best from what we have.”

Ferrari now face their most important weekend of the year at Monza, with the team needing both Hamilton and Leclerc to deliver in front of the Tifosi to ease the pressure of recent weeks.