After ready 4 Grands Prix, Ferrari has lastly returned to the rostrum, even when it’s solely the bottom step for now. Main the Scuderia to this essential consequence—one which definitely boosts the boldness of a group as soon as once more going through the nightmare of not being stable sufficient to struggle for the title—was a improbable Charles Leclerc, who delivered a stable efficiency on all fronts.
The choice to increase the primary stint undoubtedly paid off for the Monegasque. With a nine-lap tire benefit, he first overtook George Russell after which constructed a enough hole to the McLaren of Lando Norris, who completed behind the SF-25 on the finish of the race. However the truth that Leclerc was in a position to lead the race for a number of laps—and thus drive in clear air—highlighted an attention-grabbing level.
Through the race, we witnessed Charles Leclerc’s unimaginable tempo on the medium tires, nearly on par with that of Lando Norris, who was working on the onerous compound. This efficiency even shocked Charles Leclerc himself, fueling additional doubts a few automotive that already exhibits clear points and urgently wants upgrades to reignite the title hopes of its two drivers.
Saudi Arabian GP – Ferrari, Charles Leclerc: “Qualifying is our Achilles’ heel”
Within the post-race interviews for podium finishers, Charles Leclerc emphasised how a lot the group must work on the automotive’s steadiness, particularly with qualifying in thoughts, as he nonetheless hasn’t managed to place collectively a great qualifying lap thus far. At Jeddah, it was the primary sector the place the hole shaped between Ferrari and pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The occasions recorded in sectors 2 and three, however, had been consistent with the Dutchman’s.
“A optimistic weekend. I really feel I completely maximized all the pieces we may do that weekend. There was nothing extra within the automotive. I feel we have to give attention to qualifying as a result of it’s been a very long time since I’ve been pleased with the automotive’s steadiness,” confessed Ferrari’s quantity 16.
“I really feel snug with the automotive, sufficient to know I can often get essentially the most out of it, however sadly the automotive’s potential isn’t adequate to goal for increased qualifying positions. Within the race, nonetheless, the automotive’s steadiness paid off. We had been shocked by the tempo we had in clear air through the first stint. Every part went proper. Good technique. Good pit stops. There was nothing extra we may do,” Leclerc continued.
The SF-25 fuels Charles Leclerc’s doubts: “Yesterday we misplaced time within the first sector, right this moment it was our greatest”
The 1997-born driver went on to speak about his emotions through the race, admitting that the very fact the primary sector was favorable within the race—not like in qualifying—is because of a transparent mistake on Ferrari’s half, one which must be resolved shortly.
Beginning as far up the grid as doable performs an important function as a result of it offers you the possibility to drive in clear air. Greater than ever this yr—as Leclerc himself admitted—working with none automotive in entrance is important.
“This time we misplaced 4 tenths within the first three corners. For the remainder of the lap we had been quick. Right now within the race, although, the primary sector was most likely the most effective we’ve had. We have to analyze the state of affairs. We’re clearly getting one thing improper and we have to discover a resolution. We will’t afford to lose too many races earlier than fixing it, as a result of we’re already 50 factors behind within the Drivers’ Championship,” Charles Leclerc concluded on the finish of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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