Perhaps not the result Ferrari would be expecting heading into Japan from Singapore, but such is life in Formula 1. From winning the race on Marina Bay, Ferrari was downgraded to the third fastest on the grid in Japan. However, the Italian team still made the most of the situation and secured fourth and sixth-place finishes in the race. Positions that are not satisfactory. Not according to TP Frederic Vasseur at least, and definitely not according to Carlos Sainz, who felt hard down by his team in this Japanese GP.

The Spaniard started the race behind Leclerc in P6, where eventually crossed the chequered flag. However, according to Sainz, there was plenty of pace, but he could not capitalize on it because of the team’s decisions. However, the Spanish driver’s revolt fell on deaf ears, as he wasn’t the only frustrated man at Ferrari. As quoted by Formula Passion, even Vasseur was not satisfied with the result.

“You can’t be fully satisfied when you finish fourth and sixth,” said Vasseur.

However, keeping a positive mindset, the Frenchman continued, “But on the other hand, we are getting closer to Mercedes and it was difficult to do better today. We chose the correct strategy and everything went quite well: The degradation was kept under control and there were some positive points. The objective now is to recover Mercedes in the Constructors’ championship and we have gained 4 points.” (Translated via Google)

Read More: “Not This Time Fred”: Carlos Sainz Rubs Salt in Vasseur’s Failed Plans Moments After Birthday Celebration at Italian GP

The gap to Mercedes is now just 20 points, which will make the next six races extremely nerve-wracking for both camps. This close race for the second spot in the final standings is also the reason Ferrari men need to find the perfect balance with their cars as soon as possible.

After the Japanese GP, Carlos Sainz revealed a concerning scenario for Ferrari as the head-to-head fight with Mercedes comes knocking

A big part of winning and or doing consistently well in Formula 1 is down to the car. If a driver doesn’t have the right tools, they can never deliver, in spite of their capabilities. Sainz broke the deadlock during the Singapore GP, but in Japan, the Spaniard struggled once again with a nagging problem he has been facing all season. The problem is the SF-23!

Speaking about the Ferrari challenger, he said, “Honestly, I don’t feel like the car has come anywhere near what I want or what I like. The car is still a tricky car to drive. It’s still a car that hasn’t given us an easy time this year.”

WATCH THIS STORY: What has become an Incessant Problem for Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz in Ferrari’s F1 Challenger? 

It’s a different scenario every week for both the Ferrari men. Will they be able to find a sweet spot before the season ends or hopefully in 2024?