Vasseur targets to "end the year on a positive note" at Abu Dhabi

In the face of a one-two for arch rival McLaren, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur reckons that he still pins hopes on Carlos Sainz's starting position as he aims to "end the year on a positive note."

Having been in the mix for the top places in the three practice sessions, Carlos Sainz looked competitive in qualifying. The Spaniard displayed impressive performance in the first two qualifying segments, and he was quick in Q3 as well, but he failed to beat the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on a weekend when Ferrari still has a slim chance to clinch its first Constructors' title since 2008.

His team-mate Charles Leclerc was quick through the first two qualifying sessions, and completed a Ferrari one-two in Q2 before his lap time was deleted. As a result, the Monegasque slipped down the order to P14, and with the ten-place grid penalty that he received for exceeding his power unit allocation, he will start from the back of grid on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur explained that the Scuderia will not give up its hopes just yet, and will fight at least for the victory at the Yas Marina Circuit.

"Tomorrow we will fight until the last corner and at least we have Carlos on the second row. He did a very good job and there is not a big difference starting P3 or P2 tomorrow as the right hand side is probably a bit better.

"I think we can fight the McLarens and at least try and win this race. It would be a good way to end the year on a positive note. Of course, for Charles it will be a more difficult race, starting from the back. Anyway, the best he could have done would have been to start P11.

"We will evaluate what to do with his power unit and will think about a strategy that avoids him being in the pack and allows him to run more in clean air. As for the title, before this weekend, on paper it was very difficult, after the penalty it became mega difficult but not impossible, as you never know what could happen," concluded Vasseur.