Ferrari has began the Abu Dhabi weekend, the ultimate Grand Prix of the 2024 System 1 season, in a decidedly tough method.
Within the first apply session, the staff needed to change 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 should 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 possibilities 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 resulting from meals poisoning, which stored him awake all night time.
“The penalty makes our weekend tougher. Sadly, it began final night time once I had meals poisoning and couldn’t sleep in any respect. I’m so drained; I simply need to sleep now. It hasn’t been straightforward, 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 right this moment for each of us and for our complete 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 incorrect, sadly. As quickly as we began the automotive, we noticed there was a difficulty with the vitality retailer. Loads of ideas went by my thoughts…”
Happily for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc already appears to be feeling higher. This could enable 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 night time’s sleep and are available again tomorrow totally recharged—no pun meant! However sure, hopefully, we’ll have a fantastic day tomorrow after which a fantastic 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 staff, the main target stays on giving their all. What occurs might be assessed on the finish of the season.
“McLaren appears to be quicker, sadly. For now, they’ve the higher hand, however we all know issues can change in a short time in both course, and we’ve to remain alert. It received’t be over till the top, as we’ve seen right this moment with our concern, however I don’t want issues on anybody else. We’ll simply deal with ourselves and attempt to make a unprecedented comeback.”
For Charles Leclerc, this weekend may 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. After all, we need to end on a excessive notice. This morning, we ended up watching collectively, and we had 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 need to end these 4 years collectively in one of the best ways attainable.”
“However generally, issues occur which are past our management, and that’s what occurred right this moment. We’ve had a implausible relationship, 4 implausible years, and we’ll give it our all till the final lap to conclude these 4 years collectively in one of the best ways attainable.”
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