Ferrari boss makes his feelings known about the team's planned switch to flexi-wings

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said he was "frustrated" at having lost valuable development time regarding the flexi wing decision during the 2024 season. The Italian team started the season on a strong note, as they were the second-fastest team behind Red Bull, constantly contending for podium positions with the reigning world champions.

However, after winning the Monaco GP, the Maranello-based outfit lost its way as it fell behind McLaren and Mercedes in terms of performance during the European leg of races before the summer break. Mercedes and McLaren won all the races between Austria and the Netherlands and enhanced their performance due to their Flexi front and rear wings.

Speaking with Motorsport.com on November 14, the Ferrari team principal mentioned that they were waiting on FIA's decision regarding the Flexi wings and admitted to being late to the party as he was convinced that the governing body would clamp down on the issue. He said:

"There was frustration because at one stage we were waiting for the decision of the FIA when they installed the cameras [from the Belgian GP]. We were convinced that it would go for the ‘no go’. And it went for the 'go'! So probably we lost one or two months.”

“It's difficult because, with the cost cap, you have to make your choices. It means that if you are convinced that it won't be allowed, and you have to start to develop something, then it's costing you time in the wind tunnel. But it was our decision.”

Ferrari introduced their flexi wing during its Singapore GP upgrade which seemed to bring them back in contention for the Constructor's Championship as they have won two of the last four races.

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Ferrari team boss gives his take on the race for the title in 2024

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said he had some frustrations about the season as a whole, but claimed that they did not lose points due to strategic mistakes.

Speaking with RacingNews365, the Frenchman spoke about focusing on improving the current position of the Prancing Horses, given they are in the Constructor's title hunt with Red Bull and McLaren. He said:

"I don't think we've lost so many points on the strategy, but for sure, you have frustration when you look at the complete season," Vasseur said. "We made mistakes as a team, and had some issues, but I think that is true for everybody. The most important thing is to avoid racing with 'if', because everybody can win races, but we need to focus on what we are doing to try and improve."

"It is a very good feeling for the team [when we execute] the strategy, the pitstops and everything well. It is like this that we have to finish the championship if we want to improve on the classification.”

Ferrari are currently P2 in the standings, 36 points behind McLaren and 13 points ahead of Red Bull with three races and one Sprint remaining in the 2024 season.

Given that the next three tracks could suit the SF-24, the Italian team has a great opportunity to go for the championship and bring it home for the first time since 2008.