Vasseur: Suzuka a particularly stern test for cars

Ferrari arrive in Japan on a high following their one-two finish at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne two weeks ago when Carlos Sainz won the race with Charles Leclerc finished behind him as Max Verstappen suffered a DNF-causing brake failure.

With Red Bull confident of their RB20's performance around Suzuka, Ferrari will have a huge challenge on their hands to beat the reigning F1 Champions come Sunday, but their recent win has definitely boosted the moral at Maranello.

Speaking in Ferrari's race preview, Vasseur said: "We head for Japan buoyed by our one-two finish in Australia. That winning feeling only serves to make us work even harder to try and experience it again as soon as possible.

"The Suzuka track provides a particularly stern test for cars and drivers, which is why it is so popular with them," he pointed out.

As for the expectations from the Japanese Grand Prix, the Frenchman commented: "We believe we have a competitive package, but we know we need to do a perfect job to beat our rivals.

"As always in Japan, and this year in particular as it’s the first time we race at Suzuka in early Spring, the weather could play its part, but we have prepared for this possibility back in the factory and we are determined to be front runners," he explained.

Ferrari are currently second behind Red Bull Racing in the 2024 F1 Constructors' Champions, their one-two in Australia reducing the gap to the leaders to just four points.

Leclerc and Sainz finished the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix fourth and sixth respectively, while Verstappen took the win.