Whereas the hospitality areas within the paddock of the 7.004-kilometre Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps have been already being dismantled, George Russell’s disqualification from the 2024 Method 1 Belgian Grand Prix was made official. This occurred whereas Frederic Vasseur, Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc have been giving their final interviews to the media earlier than the summer season break.
The ultimate race standings with out George Russell’s Mercedes victory considerably change Ferrari’s outlook on the finish of the Spa-Francorchamps weekend. Immediately, Charles Leclerc finds himself on the rostrum, and the Italian aspect is ready to restrict the loss to Mercedes to only 2 factors, bringing the deficit again to 79 factors after it had dropped to 56 for 2 hours.
After the Belgian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was removed from constructive in his feedback concerning the efficiency of the SF-24 automotive. The Monegasque driver remarked that they have been merely not quick sufficient and recognized Ferrari as as soon as once more the fourth quickest automotive on the grid, behind rivals McLaren, Pink Bull, and Mercedes, which carried out higher than anticipated. Charles Leclerc famous that it was difficult to maintain Mercedes behind on a dry monitor like Spa-Francorchamps, and though they managed to maintain Max Verstappen and Lando Norris behind in direction of the tip, fourth place was the perfect they may obtain on monitor.
The official affirmation of George Russell’s disqualification could have barely altered Charles Leclerc’s temper, however his perspective remained that Ferrari nonetheless falls wanting the rostrum even when the standings shift, which is clearly irritating. The Monegasque driver acknowledged that if a Pink Bull had been forward, he would have considered the weekend positively. Nonetheless, with Mercedes forward and demonstrating a big benefit, he couldn’t take into account the consequence within the Belgian Grand Prix very constructive. Whereas Mercedes with the previous flooring confirmed spectacular efficiency, Ferrari with the brand new one didn’t meet the drivers’ expectations.
Contemplating the premises of the Spa-Francorchamps spherical, a 3rd and a sixth place for Ferrari is an general complete that enables them to remain afloat, however particularly for Charles Leclerc, there’s a whole lot of disappointment. After ranging from pole place, the Monegasque driver instantly yielded to Lewis Hamilton’s assault however stayed near the Mercedes for a lot of the race. Frustration elevated when, within the final stint with Exhausting tires, he noticed the seven-time Method 1 world champion draw back and Oscar Piastri develop bigger in his mirrors till he was overtaken by the McLaren MCL38 on lap 36 of the Belgian Grand Prix.
At that time, Charles Leclerc gave the impression to be a simple goal for the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris duo, however he managed to carry onto his place till the checkered flag. However, Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur commented that the race was at an excellent stage for them when it comes to pure efficiency. The French supervisor famous that everybody was stunned by the very low degradation of the Exhausting tires and the very excessive degradation of the Medium tires. Though this might have been a bonus for Carlos Sainz, who began on the Hards, he started to expertise a efficiency drop after about fifteen laps, which bolstered the plan for 2 stops.
Frederic Vasseur concluded that their general tempo was good, as they managed to complete forward of the 2 Pink Bull vehicles and a McLaren, a consequence that’s not dangerous for them on a monitor like Spa-Francorchamps, which was anticipated to spotlight the principle weaknesses of the SF-24 single-seater. The Ferrari group boss believes they made progress in efficiency over the Belgian weekend, however they’re nonetheless lacking one or two tenths to have the ability to struggle for victory once more. Whereas the group principal sees the glass half full, Charles Leclerc is certainly much less optimistic. He sees many various winners on the highest step of the rostrum, however for varied causes, it by no means appears to be Ferrari’s flip, which is beginning to weigh on him.
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