Ferrari enters this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix “buoyed” by their stunning one-two finish at the Australian Grand Prix, but team principal Frederic Vasseur knows they must be “perfect” to defeat Red Bull.

Red Bull has dominated the Japanese Grand Prix over the last two seasons, and Max Verstappen has the opportunity to emulate Michael Schumacher’s three consecutive triumphs at Suzuka.

However, Ferrari is buoyed by Carlos Sainz’s exceptional triumph in the most recent round, which came just 16 days after his appendectomy.

The Maranello-based team is sure that the SF24 will perform well in Japan, but they will need more than that to defeat Red Bull once more.

“We head for Japan buoyed by our one-two finish in Australia,” Vasseur told reporters. “That winning sensation just motivates us to work harder to have it again as soon as possible.

“The Suzuka course is exceptionally challenging for cars and drivers, which is why it is so popular among them.

“We believe we have a competitive package, but we know we need to do a perfect job to beat our rivals.”

Ferrari ‘prepared’ for rain.

This weekend’s event in Japan is the first time F1 has raced in the Asian country outside of fall, introducing an element of unpredictability.

Ferrari is prepared for anything, even rain, which is usually a factor at Suzuka.

“As always in Japan, and this year in particular as it’s the first time we race at Suzuka in early Spring, the weather could play its part, but we have prepared for this possibility back in the factory and we are determined to be front runners,” he said.