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 when it comes to tire administration and tempo, sustaining sturdy efficiency each on Medium and Exhausting compounds. He made an unstoppable restoration on George Russell, finally overtaking him, and likewise managed to defend himself towards the ultimate assaults from a fired-up Lando Norris. The Jeddah race showcased, no 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 might be wanted to handle the present essential 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, Purple Bull, and Mercedes,” Charles said after the Jeddah race. “Our sturdy level, nonetheless, 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 various issues that I’ve to be glad 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 typically.”
At present, it appears troublesome to think about a Ferrari closing the efficiency hole to McLaren in just some races. Leclerc, in truth, believes that solely in Barcelona will issues change. Through the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, checks on wing flex might be stricter, and that’s the place Ferrari hopes—no less than based on Leclerc’s phrases—to scale back the hole to the MCL39, because of the drawback the brand new rules ought to carry to the papaya automobiles.
“Successful is the one factor that issues to me. We are able to meet up with McLaren with the updates that may come. There may also be an vital race in Spain when the entrance wing will change because of the rules. We’ll see how the efficiency compares then. Earlier than that weekend, it will likely be troublesome to shut the hole to McLaren.”
Returning to Ferrari, Charles didn’t conceal his satisfaction with each his personal efficiency—he was glad together with his qualifying tempo and the way he managed the race—and the crew’s efficiency. The mechanics at Maranello have had a wonderful season when it comes to pit stops. Yesterday, they managed to carry out a tire change on Charles Leclerc’s SF-25 (from Medium to Exhausting) in simply 2 seconds. A fantastic consequence that helped Charles rejoin Russell and make the assault in a slightly quick 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 pieces completely. The technique was excellent, the pit cease was excellent as at all times. The blokes within the pit cease are doing a rare job. There’s loads of speak about pit stops when there are errors, however not a lot when all the pieces goes nicely, and they’re doing an excellent job.”
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