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 Arduous compounds. He made an unstoppable restoration on George Russell, ultimately overtaking him, and likewise 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. Nonetheless, performing nicely on Sunday shouldn’t be sufficient to intention for victory or persistently attain the rostrum. Leclerc is aware of this and, not surprisingly, emphasised that vital updates will likely be wanted to deal with the present predominant subject 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, Pink Bull, and Mercedes,” Charles acknowledged after the Jeddah race. “Our robust level, nonetheless, is tire degradation. We noticed through the race that it was superb, however in qualifying we are able to’t do higher, and that’s the place we lose each weekend.”
“Nonetheless, there are numerous issues that I’ve to be pleased 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 on the whole.”
At the moment, it appears troublesome to think about a Ferrari closing the efficiency hole to McLaren in just some races. Leclerc, actually, believes that solely in Barcelona will issues change. Throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, checks on wing flex will likely be stricter, and that’s the place Ferrari hopes—not less than in keeping with Leclerc’s phrases—to scale back the hole to the MCL39, because of the drawback the brand new laws 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 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 troublesome to shut the hole to McLaren.”
Returning to Ferrari, Charles didn’t cover his satisfaction with each his personal efficiency—he was pleased along with his qualifying tempo and the way he managed the race—and the crew’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 Arduous) in simply 2 seconds. A fantastic consequence that helped Charles rejoin Russell and make the assault in a slightly brief time. The overtake resulted in a podium, his first of the season.
“I’m proud of my efficiency and the crew’s efficiency. As a result of the crew did all the things completely. The technique was good, the pit cease was good as at all times. 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 all the things goes nicely, and they’re doing an ideal job.”
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