After ready 4 Grands Prix, Ferrari has lastly returned to the rostrum, even when it’s solely the bottom step for now. Main the Scuderia to this vital consequence—one which definitely boosts the arrogance of a crew as soon as once more dealing with the nightmare of not being stable sufficient to battle for the title—was a improbable Charles Leclerc, who delivered a stable efficiency on all fronts.
The choice to increase the primary stint positively paid off for the Monegasque. With a nine-lap tire benefit, he first overtook George Russell after which constructed a ample hole to the McLaren of Lando Norris, who completed behind the SF-25 on the finish of the race. However the truth that Leclerc was in a position to lead the race for a number of laps—and thus drive in clear air—highlighted an fascinating level.
Through the race, we witnessed Charles Leclerc’s unimaginable tempo on the medium tires, nearly on par with that of Lando Norris, who was operating on the laborious compound. This efficiency even stunned Charles Leclerc himself, fueling additional doubts a couple of automotive that already exhibits clear points and urgently wants upgrades to reignite the title hopes of its two drivers.
Saudi Arabian GP – Ferrari, Charles Leclerc: “Qualifying is our Achilles’ heel”
Within the post-race interviews for podium finishers, Charles Leclerc emphasised how a lot the crew must work on the automotive’s steadiness, particularly with qualifying in thoughts, as he nonetheless hasn’t managed to place collectively a great qualifying lap thus far. At Jeddah, it was the primary sector the place the hole shaped between Ferrari and pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The occasions recorded in sectors 2 and three, alternatively, had been in keeping with the Dutchman’s.
“A optimistic weekend. I really feel I completely maximized every little thing we might do that weekend. There was nothing extra within the automotive. I believe we have to deal with qualifying as a result of it’s been a very long time since I’ve been pleased with the automotive’s steadiness,” confessed Ferrari’s quantity 16.
“I really feel comfy with the automotive, sufficient to know I can often get essentially the most out of it, however sadly the automotive’s potential isn’t adequate to purpose for increased qualifying positions. Within the race, nevertheless, the automotive’s steadiness paid off. We had been stunned by the tempo we had in clear air in the course of the first stint. All the pieces went proper. Good technique. Good pit stops. There was nothing extra we might do,” Leclerc continued.
The SF-25 fuels Charles Leclerc’s doubts: “Yesterday we misplaced time within the first sector, at present it was our greatest”
The 1997-born driver went on to speak about his emotions in the course of the race, admitting that the very fact the primary sector was favorable within the race—in contrast to in qualifying—is because of a transparent mistake on Ferrari’s half, one which must be resolved shortly.
Beginning as far up the grid as potential performs an important function as a result of it provides you the prospect to drive in clear air. Greater than ever this 12 months—as Leclerc himself admitted—operating with none automotive in entrance is significant.
“This time we misplaced 4 tenths within the first three corners. For the remainder of the lap we had been quick. At present within the race, although, the primary sector was most likely the most effective we’ve had. We have to analyze the scenario. We’re clearly getting one thing unsuitable and we have to discover a answer. We will’t afford to lose too many races earlier than fixing it, as a result of we’re already 50 factors behind within the Drivers’ Championship,” Charles Leclerc concluded on the finish of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
