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Frederic Vasseur

Ferrari disclose F1 priorities with McLaren 'on another planet'

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has outlined targets for the Italian team for the rest of the F1 season - and he has provided an order.

Vasseur
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Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has explained the order of the Scuderia's priorities for the rest of the F1 season, with McLaren all but guaranteed a second consecutive constructors' championship.

The Frenchman wants the Maranello-based squad to retain its runner-up spot this year, insisting that is a higher target than securing a first grand prix victory of the campaign.

As the only team in the top four not to have won this season, pressure is mounting on the Italian outfit to triumph for the first time since Carlos Sainz took the chequered flag at the Mexico City Grand Prix 11 months ago.

Ferrari has looked an improved force in the past couple of rounds, but results have yet to mirror the steps forward the team feels it has taken since the summer break.

As F1 heads to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur expects Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to be in "good shape" at a circuit the former came painfully close to winning at last year.

"I think we have a couple of tracks where we are supposed to be also in good shape, starting with the next one - we are historically always good shape in Baku," he told media, including RacingNews365.

"But yeah, for sure, it's the goal," the 57-year-old added.

With McLaren needing to outscore Ferrari by just nine points in Baku to secure the constructors' title with seven rounds remaining, there are targets more important than returning to the top step of the podium.

Having been asked what it would take for Ferrari to win a race this season, Vasseur was keen to highlight the bigger picture.

"The goal is also now to finish P2 in the championship," he stated. "McLaren is on another planet; we are fighting with Red Bull and Mercedes."

Elaborating on Ferrari's priorities for the rest of the season, Vasseur provided ultimate clarity on what achievement is more imperative.

"The target for the team is to finish P2," he reiterated, before expanding on the order of priorities for the Prancing Horse: "The first target is to finish P2 and then to win races."

Also interesting:

Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the Italian Grand Prix! Max Verstappen's dominant win is a lead discussion, as is whether McLaren has set a precedent with its controversial team orders.

Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!

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