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Vasseur: Japan F1 Ferrari upgrade left Leclerc in "much better shape"
In September, Ferrari introduced a new floor at Suzuka in order to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of their car. The update included changes to various parts of the floor and diffuser sidewall, working together with a revised sidepod undercut. While the upgrade did not result in a significant increase in lap time, it greatly benefited Charles Leclerc in terms of comfort and allowed him to push the car harder, leading to three podium finishes and three pole positions in the final five races. However, team principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized that the battle between drivers and teams is often decided by small details and tiny gaps in performance, using the analogy of tennis player Roger Federer winning one day and losing the next. In the current competitive landscape of Formula 1, even a minor mistake can have a significant impact on qualifying results, highlighting the need for consistency and not drawing hasty conclusions based on individual changes or performances.