Ferrari has began the Abu Dhabi weekend, the ultimate Grand Prix of the 2024 Components 1 season, in a decidedly tough means.
Within the first apply session, the crew needed to substitute the battery pack on Charles Leclerc’s SF-24, putting in the third unit of the season. This implies just one factor: a grid penalty. Charles must drop 10 locations on the grid, relying on tomorrow afternoon’s qualifying end result.
It is a vital blow for Ferrari, which hoped—and nonetheless hopes, regardless of the slim probabilities of success—to win the Constructors’ Championship, a title that has eluded them since 2008.
However Charles Leclerc’s troubled weekend had already begun final night time as a consequence of meals poisoning, which saved him awake all night time.
“The penalty makes our weekend tougher. Sadly, it began final night time after I had meals poisoning and couldn’t sleep in any respect. I’m so drained; I simply wish to sleep now. It hasn’t been simple, and this morning I didn’t really feel like driving, however in fact, the large motivation of the day was doing FP1 with my brother.” -he identified on the finish of the second free apply session.
“It was a dream come true at this time for each of us and for our total household, who traveled to Monaco to see it. It was a really emotional second, and I needed to put my helmet on early as a result of I used to be overwhelmed, and that’s when issues began to go mistaken, sadly. As quickly as we began the automobile, we noticed there was a difficulty with the vitality retailer. Numerous ideas went via my thoughts…”
Luckily for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc already appears to be feeling higher. This could permit him to be near full health tomorrow for the third apply session and, most significantly, qualifying at Yas Marina.
“The very first thing that got here to thoughts was: ‘I’ll drive this FP1 with my brother, which is a singular alternative,’ and clearly additionally the championship, which makes our weekend a lot more durable, however this doesn’t demotivate me in any respect. I already really feel a bit higher tonight. I’ll get an excellent night time’s sleep and are available again tomorrow absolutely recharged—no pun supposed! However sure, hopefully, we’ll have an excellent day tomorrow after which an excellent restoration on Sunday.”
At this time’s on-track efficiency favored their direct rivals for the title, McLaren. The MCL38s of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri set the tempo each on single laps and race stints. Ferrari’s hopes of clinching the title are slim, however inside the crew, the main target stays on giving their all. What occurs will probably be assessed on the finish of the season.
“McLaren appears to be sooner, sadly. For now, they’ve the higher hand, however we all know issues can change in a short time in both course, and we have now to remain alert. It received’t be over till the tip, as we’ve seen at this time with our difficulty, however I don’t want issues on anybody else. We’ll simply deal with ourselves and attempt to make a rare comeback.”
For Charles Leclerc, this weekend will even mark his final alongside Carlos Sainz as teammates earlier than the Spaniard strikes to Williams subsequent season.
“Sure. One other factor that provides to this emotionally turbulent weekend. In fact, we wish to end on a excessive observe. This morning, we ended up watching collectively, and we have been each a bit unhappy about what occurred as a result of we clearly depend on one another to attempt to win this Constructors’ title. We actually wish to end these 4 years collectively in the easiest way doable.”
“However typically, issues occur which might be past our management, and that’s what occurred at this time. We’ve had a incredible relationship, 4 incredible years, and we’ll give it our all till the final lap to conclude these 4 years collectively in the easiest way doable.”
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