Vasseur buoyant over Ferrari's F1 chances against Red Bull

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has declared he is encouraged despite his squad's gap to Red Bull at the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

The Italian squad has taken a duo of third-place finishes at the opening two rounds while Red Bull has dominated en route to back-to-back 1-2 results.

Red Bull appears set for another success-filled campaign after clinching the titles last year with ease, winning 21 out of the 22 races.

Vasseur, who is partaking in his second season at the helm of Ferrari, insisted that his primary focus in the short term are not results.

"If we are able to have the same improvement as we had last year, it's encouraging,” Vasseur said when asked by RacingNews365 if he is concerned by Red Bull's advantage.

“I’m focused on the team. I’m focused on the fact that we have to develop the car and even if one weekend we are in front of Red Bull, I will keep the same approach, try to do a better job the week after.

"You know, that it's not because that we are P1... P2... P3 that you have to stop or to develop more. We are full push and we will continue with the same approach.”

Vasseur hails 'step forward'

At the season-opening round in Bahrain, Carlos Sainz crossed the line in third, 25 seconds down on race-winner Max Verstappen while Charles Leclerc took a podium result 18 seconds behind the Dutchman in Jeddah.

Vasseur accepted that Red Bull has a sizeable gap over the field but is confident that Ferrari can eat into the deficit going forward.

"I can't say that it's out of my scope, but the fact that it's interesting or not, that we are just fully focused on the fact that we have to catch up, that it's clear that they have an advantage, and I don't want to bullshit someone,” he said.

"But it's clear that they have still an advantage on us and that we have to continue to develop and to push, but I think it's a clear step forward [in Saudi Arabia].

“It was already a good signal last week in Bahrain.

“It's a clear step forward and it's very encouraging for everybody, it’s the best way to get everybody fully motivated.”