Fred Vasseur (Ferrari): This is a tough test / Formula 1

Ferrari tasted blood. After two convincing victories in Melbourne (Australia), many Tifosi regained hope that the Red Bull Championship can be defeated again and again.

In the last 16 months, only the Ferrari RBR was able to win the RBR at the Grand Prix, and the winner was Carlos Sainz twice – in Singapore in 2023 and in Melbourne in 2024.

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said before the fourth race of the season in Suzuka (Japan): “The victory in Australia gave the whole team a lot of energy. When you taste the sweetness of victory, it drives you to work harder – to feel that feeling again.”

“Suzuka is a tough test for man and machine. It’s no coincidence that many drivers call this track one of their favorite race tracks.”

“We are sure that we will be competitive in Suzuka. But we also know that if we want to win again, we have to have a perfect weekend.”

“In Japan everything is a little different this time because we no longer travel in autumn, but in spring. From the looks of it, the weather can tip the scales again. We are prepared for anything.”

As a reminder: Ferrari has not won at Suzuka since 2004.

Australien-GP, Albert Park Circuit

01. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:20:26.843 h
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +2,366 sec
03. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +5.904
04. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +35,770
05. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +56,309
06. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:33,222
07. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1:35,601
08. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1:40.992*
09. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:44.553
10. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
11. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, +1
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, +1
15. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1
16. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1
outside
George Russell (GB), Mercedes, accident
Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, engine failure
Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, Bremsdefekt

*20 second time penalty for braking in the fight with George Russell
Entry waived: Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams
(Alex Albon crash in free practice, no replacement chassis in Australia)

World Championship Standings (after 3 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 51 points
02. Leclerc 47
03. Perez 46
04. Sainz 40
05. Plate 28
06. Norris 27
07. Russell 18
08. Alonso 16
09. Walk 9
10. Hamilton 8
11. Tsunoda 6
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 97 Punkte
02. Ferrari 93
03. McLaren 55
04. Mercedes 26
05. Aston Martin 25
06. Running Bull 6
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0