The optimistic information for Ferrari from the Barcelona weekend was the third podium of the season (secured by Charles Leclerc) and second place within the Constructors’ Championship standings.
The much less encouraging information is that there was no shift triggered by the versatile wing laws—McLaren stays out of attain, and Crimson Bull isn’t fairly inside vary both. After qualifying, Charles Leclerc had taken duty for the alternatives made in preparation for the 66-lap race (specifically, sacrificing a set of softs in Q3 to have an additional set of mediums within the race), and judging by the ultimate outcome, he was proper.
Nevertheless, Charles Leclerc’s deserves have been principally in his driving. An important distinction within the Monegasque’s race got here within the first half-lap, when he handed Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, instantly latching onto Lewis Hamilton’s slipstream, because the Briton would later must let him by means of as a result of a transparent distinction in tempo.
As soon as in fourth place, although, Charles Leclerc’s race appeared to hit a ceiling. Throughout the remaining stint, his tempo on the second set of mediums wasn’t notably quick—George Russell behind him lowered the hole from seven to 4 seconds. The protection automotive proved providential, permitting Charles Leclerc to change again to softs, which helped him defend from George Russell and assault Max Verstappen, who had rejoined on hards.
There’s, nonetheless, a small thriller surrounding Charles Leclerc’s remaining laps. His lap instances weren’t spectacular, and when Frederic Vasseur was requested whether or not there had been an issue with the automotive (Toto Wolff talked about a potential oil leak), his reply was an oblique affirmation: “We had a small drawback, but it surely had nothing to do with an oil leak.”
On the finish of the race, Charles Leclerc compelled a smile. Third place wasn’t the outcome he had hoped to greet as excellent news, however in gentle of this primary third of the season, it successfully is. “Yesterday we determined to sacrifice qualifying a bit to have a greater race,” he commented, “however I didn’t count on to finish up on the rostrum, so I’m very completely happy. The primary two stints have been very optimistic, the final one on the mediums was a bit extra difficult. However then the security automotive got here, which gave us the chance to suit softs once more, and we made essentially the most of it.”
A really totally different ambiance was felt on the opposite facet of the storage. Lewis Hamilton described the race as considered one of his worst experiences, and when requested if there was at the very least one thing optimistic to remove, his reply was blunt: “Zero.” Frederic Vasseur’s response was clear: “I believe (Hamilton) spent 70% of the race forward of Russell, and I don’t assume Russell mentioned his race was a catastrophe. However then we had an issue together with his automotive over the past stint, earlier than the security automotive. The outcome isn’t good, however he did 45 laps in entrance of Russell.”
As soon as once more, the Scuderia’s staff principal didn’t need to disclose the difficulty that occurred on automotive quantity 44.
“In the present day’s race was removed from what I had hoped for,” concluded Lewis. “I used to be assured earlier than the race, after qualifying and with the automotive seemingly enhancing in efficiency. However within the race, the steadiness wasn’t what I wished and we lacked tempo from the beginning.
“For the time being we don’t have an evidence; we’ll want to research the information and perceive whether or not there was some form of drawback. Congratulations to Charles, who did an excellent job and deserved the rostrum.” Within the final 5 races, Leclerc has reached the rostrum thrice—Hamilton hasn’t been there as soon as since sporting pink. Discontent is starting to floor…
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