Ferrari concluded the last qualifying session of the 2024 Method 1 season for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by securing third place with Carlos Sainz and final place with the penalized Charles Leclerc.
The Spaniard was the one one to problem the 2 McLarens and, if not for a mistake on the last nook, might have positioned himself between the 2 MCL38s of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, complicating their race greater than it would now with the present grid.
Charles Leclerc, nevertheless, had his greatest Q2 lap time deleted and was eradicated, ending in 14th place. A ten-place grid penalty for introducing his third battery pack of the season did the remainder: tomorrow, the Monegasque will begin final, making a comeback to combat for the Constructors’ Championship—absent from Maranello since 2008—virtually unattainable.
After the official periods at Yas Marina, Ferrari’s workforce principal Frédéric Vasseur spoke to *Sky Sport Italia*, discussing the result of the ultimate qualifying session of the yr and outlining Ferrari’s strategy for tomorrow’s race.
How is the environment within the Ferrari storage after qualifying at Yas Marina?
“There’s a unique temper on the 2 sides of the storage. Carlos had a superb qualifying session, preventing for first place on the finish of Q3 and lacking the entrance row because of a really small mistake on the final nook. However it doesn’t matter; we’ll combat. Beginning second or third doesn’t change a lot—we’ll combat till the final nook. With Leclerc, the scenario is completely different. Earlier than the session, we knew the best-case situation was ranging from eleventh, however then he went barely vast at Flip 1 in Q2, and that’s the way it went.”
Will you alter Charles Leclerc’s engine earlier than the race?
“Actually, I don’t suppose there’s a major benefit in altering the engine—at the least, not sufficient to justify placing in a brand new one.”
You’ll be hoping for a chaotic race, whereas McLaren will desire a simple one…
“Sure, that’s true. We’ll race in opposition to McLaren with Carlos the identical approach we now have up to now. However we received’t do something drastically completely different simply because it’s the final race of the season. Possibly with Charles, we’ll think about a unique technique to keep away from getting caught within the midfield visitors.”
Does beginning third as a substitute of second change a lot?
“Possibly there’s a slight distinction in grip on the fitting aspect in comparison with the left aspect of the grid. However as I stated, there’s not a giant distinction between the 2 positions. What’s essential is the place we’re after the primary nook and the tip of the primary lap.”
Tomorrow, reaching your aim shall be very tough…
“Even earlier than coming to Abu Dhabi, it was already very tough on paper. After the penalty, it’s turn into extraordinarily tough. Nonetheless, it’s not unattainable as a result of we are able to’t predict what’s going to occur. We’ll combat till the final nook of the final lap and don’t have any regrets.”
At this level, are you able to afford to take extra dangers?
“Sure and no, as a result of an important factor continues to be to attain sufficient factors to turn into champions. We are able to’t take too many dangers as a result of we by no means know what may occur with McLaren. Thus far, they haven’t had any retirements or incidents. You’ll be able to by no means know. We’d like to ensure we rating sufficient factors to turn into champions, after which we’ll see.”
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