Giancarlo Fisichella: “Ferrari must prove” / Formula 1

Ferrari’s double win at the Australian Grand Prix – was that just a flash in the pan or legitimate hope for the Tifosi faithful that now Ferrari can win the Red Bull Championship regularly?

In the first training session of the Japanese Grand Prix, RBR seems to be back to its usual strength – Max Verstappen ahead of Sergio Pérez, Ferrari drivers in 3rd place (Australian winner Carlos Sainz) and 6th (Monegasque Charles Leclerc) . When the conditions were changed in the second training session, the picture did not make enough sense.

But again: Can Ferrari now threaten Red Bull Racing, especially Max Verstappen? Roman Giancarlo Fisichella (51), 229-time GP participant, three-time winner, told his colleagues at Gazzetta dello Sport: “The strongest impression for me is in this first part of the 2024 GP season – Max Verstappen is still always there very strong.”

“But it turns out that Ferrari is involved, and two wins in Australia is the logical result of that. It is true that Max had to give up in Melbourne. But I could imagine that if the pressure from a rival like Ferrari increases, then that will start to have an effect on RBR, for example in terms of reliability.

“I think we will get more answers in Japan this weekend. Suzuka is always an acid test for all competitors. I always enjoyed driving there. This race track has everything a driver could wish for – speed, sharp changes of direction, different curves.”

Conclusion of fourth place in the 2006 World Cup: “On a very demanding track, Ferrari now have to prove that they are close to Red Bull Racing. What is already clear to me: Ferrari has made great progress, especially when it comes to tire wear. I am happy to see how this will develop in the Japan Grand Prix.”

2. Studies, Japan

01. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:34.725 min
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:35,226
03. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:38,760
04. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:40,946
05. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, 1:41.913
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:44.977
07. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:52.579
08. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), clean, no time
09. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, no time
10. Alex Albon (T), Williams, no time
11. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, no time
12. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, no time
13. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, no time
14. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, no time
15. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, no time
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, no time
17. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Bull Red Racing, no time
18. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, No Time
19. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, no time
20. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, no time

1. Studies, Japan

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:30,056 minutes
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:30.237
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:30.269
04. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,530
05. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,543
06. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:30,558
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:30.599
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:31.165
09. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:31,230
10. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:31.240
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:31,935
12. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:31,943
13. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:31.958
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:32.054
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:32,055
16. Ayumu Iwasa (J), Racing Bull, 1:32,103
17. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:32,277
18. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 1:32,638
19. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:32.803
20. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:33,204