Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur fears the Suzuka 'race' is a prime example of what we might expect this season as what happens on Saturday increasingly dictates Sunday's result.

It's the sport's age old problem, if the man starting from pole position is essentially the quickest out there, it is inevitable that he will lead into the first corner - hence the importance of the starting position - and disappear into the distance. Consequently, when you are at the end of a regulation cycle and cars are more converged than ever, pole is vital.

While the McLarens are undoubtedly the quickest cars out there, following Max Verstappen's superhuman effort on Saturday it was essential that the Papaya pair jump him at the start. They failed.

As a result, Suzuka, one of the most popular and challenging circuits on the calendar, served up a boreathon every bit as tedious as Barcelona in the bad old days. Over the course of the afternoon just 15 overtakes were counted, none of them where it really mattered.

Though there are circuits with longer runs to the first corner, thereby allowing more chance of a reshuffle, and not forgetting the Weather Gods, Fred Vasseur fears that now, more than ever, the championship will be decided on Saturdays.

"For sure, qualifying is always crucial in the performance," said the Frenchman. "The smaller the gap is between cars, the more true that is. Because you are in the group of cars. It's not that you are just one fighting with the guy in front of you.

"It will probably be a 'quali' championship," he added.

Two weeks back, Lewis Hamilton won the Sprint in Shanghai after starting from pole, while all three races thus far have been won by the man starting from the coveted position.

What the answer is nobody knows, and we certainly don't want to resurrect the calls for reverse grids.

If pole is to continue being so vital, if it is to be a qualifying championship, then everyone is going to need to raise their game on Saturdays... and perhaps take a few more chances come Sunday.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Chester, 08/04/2025 17:08

"How quickly things change. Last year the pundits lamented that 2026 rule would bring a sea-change, and a dominant team who got things right. They touted the 2024 season as wonderful and asked for stasis.

Now this year, Vasseur's new weapon in Hamilton has not produced the desired result. I really like Vasseur and hope he succeeds, but he is typical of those who extrapolate three data points (races) and claim competition dead.

In my uninformed polyannish opinion there will be ebtter days and races ahead in 2025."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Editor, 08/04/2025 15:42

"@ Celtic Tiger

Don't be silly, think of the obvious danger should certain drivers - no names - aim their T-Shirt cannons at fellow drivers. Discarded tear-offs are bad enough, but a Red Bull (oops) T-Shirt covering your visor could be lethal."

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 08/04/2025 15:20

"@Editor, Why stop the on track action for t-shirts? just mount t-shirt canons on the cars and have drivers fire them at will. Perhaps another suggestion, replace safety cars with a Mardi Gras procession.
"Okay Lando, the brass horns have sounded, reduce speed and line up behind the group of sparkly clowns with their ars*s hanging out. Mind your delta and watch for beads.""

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Editor, 08/04/2025 14:06 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 08/04/2025 14:08)

"@ BrightonCorgi,

With all due respect, ridiculous suggestions that wouldn't work.

We need more music in order to build the excitment, therefore DJs at every corner... also live social media posting from the drivers throughout the race... maybe they could even be forced to stop at certain points in the race for selfies or flog a few caps and T-Shirts.

Note: Before Stefano and the teams get any ideas all the above ideas are copyright."

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 08/04/2025 14:03 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 08/04/2025 14:08)

"Get rid of DRS to allow late brake passing. Introduce a "push to pass" for 30 engagements per race. It would open the rear wing like DRS when the driver decides he wants to use it.

Bring back refueling.

A 2nd tire manufacturer would spice things up as well."

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Vasseur fears qualifying championship

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page