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 likewise managed to defend himself towards 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 nicely on Sunday just isn’t sufficient to intention for victory or constantly attain the rostrum. Leclerc is aware of this and, not surprisingly, emphasised that essential updates shall be wanted to handle the present major concern 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, Crimson Bull, and Mercedes,” Charles acknowledged after the Jeddah race. “Our sturdy level, nonetheless, is tire degradation. We noticed throughout the race that it was excellent, 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 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 comfy within the automotive as I do now, however we have to discover extra efficiency basically.”
At present, it appears troublesome to think about a Ferrari closing the efficiency hole to McLaren in only a few races. Leclerc, actually, believes that solely in Barcelona will issues change. Throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, checks on wing flex shall be stricter, and that’s the place Ferrari hopes—not less than in accordance with Leclerc’s phrases—to cut back the hole to the MCL39, as a result of drawback the brand new rules ought to carry to the papaya automobiles.
“Profitable is the one factor that issues to me. We are able to meet up with McLaren with the updates that can come. There will even 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, will probably be troublesome to shut the hole to McLaren.”
Returning to Ferrari, Charles didn’t cover 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 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 consequence that helped Charles rejoin Russell and make the assault in a relatively 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 thing completely. The technique was excellent, the pit cease was excellent as all the time. The fellows within the pit cease are doing a rare job. There’s a whole lot of speak about pit stops when there are errors, however not a lot when every thing goes nicely, and they’re doing a terrific job.”
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