Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said the Scuderia heads into the April break with a morale boost after Charles Leclerc, a Ferrari driver, finished third at the Japanese Grand Prix, keeping George Russell, a Mercedes driver, off the podium.
Kimi Antonelli, an F1 driver, and George Russell had won the season's first two races, with Antonelli prevailing in Japan; Leclerc secured third by about half a second through pace and careful energy management.
Vasseur praised Leclerc's late-race drive and tactical moves, saying the final 10 laps demonstrated the team can compete and provided useful data for the factory ahead of the break caused by the Middle East conflict.
Vasseur added that homologation has begun and Ferrari must improve across multiple areas as rivals plan major upgrade packages when Formula 1 returns in Miami in May.
Read the full article at motorsport.com.
More automotive news: Latest car news