Vasseur: Being ‘under the radar’ is perfect for Ferrari

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Fred Vasseur believes the persistent on-track drama surrounding the rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris has placed Ferrari ”under the radar” in the championship battle, which he says is “perfect” for the Italian outfit.

After a pair a successive wins – with Charles Leclerc in Austin and with Carlos Sainz in Mexico City – Ferrari’s significant haul of points has allowed the Scuderia to leap into contention in F1’s Constructors’ Championship.

The team has overtaken Red Bull in the standings and now sits just 29 points behind McLaren and 25 points ahead of the reigning world champions, with four races to go.

The media’s current focus on the Verstappen-Norris fight and on other paddock squabbles has permitted Ferrari to quietly capitalize on its improvements, amid less scrutiny and pressure than usual, according to Vasseur.

Read also: Vasseur hails Sainz’s ‘perfect’ Mexico race but slams traffic ‘idiots’

"As long as you are all focused on Max and Norris, this is perfect for us," said the Frenchman after Sainz’s dominant win in the Mexico City Grand Prix.

"You can be focused on the fight between Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team principal] and Christian [Horner, Red Bull boss] between Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] and Christian, between Lando and Max, between whatever - as long as we are under the radar, it allows us to be fully focused on what we are doing, on the team, on the drivers.

"This is a perfect situation for us. I think you [the media] will have tons to say about Max and Lando, it will be the headlines and it's good for us."

While a Ferrari win is always a headline in its own right, given the legacy and passionate following that the Scuderia commands worldwide, Vasseur believes that framing the team’s success as going somewhat unnoticed is a benefit.

"I think it's important for us to have no distraction,” he added. "We are clear, we are focused on what we are doing, on the car, on the management of the team.

"We are taking it race-by-race, and not thinking about the global picture, and it’s paying off."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.