Morale at Ferrari has improved considerably after Charles Leclerc’s first podium of the season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. After a really sophisticated Saturday, the Monegasque driver delivered an distinctive race by way of tire administration and tempo, sustaining sturdy 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, a minimum of partially, the potential of the SF-25. Nevertheless, performing properly on Sunday is just not sufficient to goal for victory or constantly attain the rostrum. Leclerc is aware of this and, not surprisingly, emphasised that essential updates can be wanted to deal with the present fundamental challenge for Ferrari: qualifying.
“What we’re lacking now could be qualifying efficiency. It comes a bit from the dearth of aerodynamic downforce in comparison with McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes,” Charles said after the Jeddah race. “Our sturdy level, nonetheless, is tire degradation. We noticed through 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 various issues that I’ve to be joyful 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 automobile as I do now, however we have to discover extra efficiency normally.”
Presently, it appears troublesome to think about a Ferrari closing the efficiency hole to McLaren in just some races. Leclerc, in reality, believes that solely in Barcelona will issues change. Through the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, checks on wing flex can be stricter, and that’s the place Ferrari hopes—a minimum of in keeping with Leclerc’s phrases—to scale back the hole to the MCL39, as a result of drawback the brand new rules ought to deliver to the papaya vehicles.
“Profitable is the one factor that issues to me. We will meet up with McLaren with the updates that can come. There may also be an essential race in Spain when the entrance wing will change as a result of rules. We’ll see how the efficiency compares then. Earlier than that weekend, it is going to be troublesome to shut the hole to McLaren.”
Returning to Ferrari, Charles didn’t disguise his satisfaction with each his personal efficiency—he was joyful along with his qualifying tempo and the way he managed the race—and the staff’s efficiency. The mechanics at Maranello have had a wonderful 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 incredible outcome that helped Charles rejoin Russell and make the assault in a fairly brief time. The overtake resulted in a podium, his first of the season.
“I’m pleased with my efficiency and the staff’s efficiency. As a result of the staff did the whole lot completely. The technique was good, the pit cease was good as all the time. The fellows within the pit cease are doing a rare job. There’s quite a lot of discuss pit stops when there are errors, however not a lot when the whole lot goes properly, and they’re doing an awesome job.”
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