Ferrari struggled to keep up with the leading cars in Formula 1, according to Lewis Hamilton, as they sought to improve their performance against McLaren at the Japanese Grand Prix. Despite the efforts of Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, who finished fifth and sixth in practice, Ferrari lagged behind the pace set by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by about seven to eight tenths of a second. The Ferrari team faced challenges with their car’s balance, losing significant time on the straights against their competitors. Hamilton emphasized the need to refine the car setup to close the performance gap and make progress in the upcoming races.
Diego Ioverno, Ferrari’s sporting director, acknowledged the expected deficit in their one-lap pace compared to their rivals. He highlighted the importance of addressing issues affecting the car’s handling and ensuring the tires work effectively from the beginning of each race. While the team faces obstacles, they remain committed to analyzing data and making necessary adjustments to enhance their competitiveness. Despite the challenges faced by Ferrari, there is optimism that improvements can be made to close the gap and perform better in future races.
