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 robust efficiency each on Medium and Laborious compounds. He made an unstoppable restoration on George Russell, ultimately 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, at the least partially, the potential of the SF-25. Nonetheless, performing effectively 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 vital updates can be wanted to handle the present most important situation for Ferrari: qualifying.
“What we’re lacking now’s 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 robust level, nevertheless, is tire degradation. We noticed through the race that it was excellent, however in qualifying we are able to’t do higher, and that’s the place we lose each weekend.”
“Nonetheless, there are a lot 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 automobile as I do now, however we have to discover extra efficiency typically.”
At present, it appears tough to think about a Ferrari closing the efficiency hole to McLaren in only a few races. Leclerc, the truth is, 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—at the least based on Leclerc’s phrases—to cut back the hole to the MCL39, because of the drawback the brand new laws ought to deliver 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 may come. There may even be an vital race in Spain when the entrance wing will change because of the laws. We’ll see how the efficiency compares then. Earlier than that weekend, it is going to be tough to shut the hole to McLaren.”
Returning to Ferrari, Charles didn’t conceal 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 workforce’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 excellent outcome that helped Charles rejoin Russell and make the assault in a fairly quick time. The overtake resulted in a podium, his first of the season.
“I’m pleased with my efficiency and the workforce’s efficiency. As a result of the workforce did the whole lot completely. The technique was good, the pit cease was good as all the time. The blokes within the pit cease are doing a unprecedented job. There’s numerous speak about pit stops when there are errors, however not a lot when the whole lot goes effectively, and they’re doing an ideal job.”
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