Morale at Ferrari has improved considerably after Charles Leclerc’s first podium of the season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. After a really difficult Saturday, the Monegasque driver delivered an distinctive race by way of tire administration and tempo, sustaining robust efficiency each on Medium and Laborious compounds. He made an unstoppable restoration on George Russell, finally overtaking him, and in addition managed to defend himself in opposition to the ultimate assaults from a fired-up Lando Norris. The Jeddah race showcased, not less than partially, the potential of the SF-25. Nevertheless, performing properly on Sunday shouldn’t be sufficient to goal for victory or persistently attain the rostrum. Leclerc is aware of this and, not surprisingly, emphasised that necessary updates will probably be wanted to handle the present predominant difficulty for Ferrari: qualifying.
“What we’re lacking now could be qualifying efficiency. It comes a bit from the shortage of aerodynamic downforce in comparison with McLaren, Crimson Bull, and Mercedes,” Charles acknowledged after the Jeddah race. “Our robust level, nevertheless, is tire degradation. We noticed in the course of the race that it was superb, however in qualifying we will’t do higher, and that’s the place we lose each weekend.”
“Nevertheless, there are lots of issues that I’ve to be completely satisfied about. For a number of weekends now, I’ve been understanding one thing that unlocked efficiency, and it’ll unlock much more efficiency for me. It’s been a very long time since I felt as snug within the automotive as I do now, however we have to discover extra efficiency usually.”
At present, it appears troublesome to think about a Ferrari closing the efficiency hole to McLaren in just some races. Leclerc, in actual fact, believes that solely in Barcelona will issues change. In the course of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, checks on wing flex will probably be stricter, and that’s the place Ferrari hopes—not less than in response to Leclerc’s phrases—to scale back the hole to the MCL39, as a result of drawback the brand new laws ought to deliver to the papaya automobiles.
“Profitable is the one factor that issues to me. We will meet up with McLaren with the updates that can come. There may even be an necessary race in Spain when the entrance wing will change as a result of laws. We’ll see how the efficiency compares then. Earlier than that weekend, it will likely be troublesome to shut the hole to McLaren.”
Returning to Ferrari, Charles didn’t cover his satisfaction with each his personal efficiency—he was completely satisfied along with his qualifying tempo and the way he managed the race—and the staff’s efficiency. The mechanics at Maranello have had a superb season by way of pit stops. Yesterday, they managed to carry out a tire change on Charles Leclerc’s SF-25 (from Medium to Laborious) in simply 2 seconds. An ideal end result that helped Charles rejoin Russell and make the assault in a reasonably quick time. The overtake resulted in a podium, his first of the season.
“I’m proud of my efficiency and the staff’s efficiency. As a result of the staff did every part completely. The technique was excellent, the pit cease was excellent as at all times. The fellows within the pit cease are doing a rare job. There’s a variety of discuss pit stops when there are errors, however not a lot when every part goes properly, and they’re doing a fantastic job.”
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