With Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, towards the percentages, Ferrari leaves spherical 23 of the 2024 Method 1 championship, the Qatar Grand Prix, with three factors gained over rivals McLaren through the penultimate weekend of the present racing marketing campaign. Between the occasions of the Dash Race and the chaotic Sunday race, the Maranello workforce now finds itself 21 factors behind the Woking workforce within the Constructors’ Championship standings. A constructive end result retains hope alive till the ultimate nook at Yas Marina. Many issues occurred in Losail, and the FIA was fully unable to handle the scenario.
Seemingly easy conditions grew to become extraordinarily difficult because of the sluggish execution by the brand new race director, Rui Marques, who left a mirror on the straight with out deploying the Digital Security Automobile to take away it, which not directly triggered the punctures of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz. He additionally issued a fairly heavy penalty to Lando Norris, successfully excluding him from the race, even supposing the British driver in the end completed tenth with the extra level for the quickest lap and from the prospect to combat for victory, as he was within the thick of the battle with Max Verstappen.
Ferrari actually took benefit of this case: Charles Leclerc completed second forward of Oscar Piastri, whereas Carlos Sainz managed to get better after his puncture, securing not less than sixth place. The Spaniard might have actually achieved a greater end result, maybe passing Pierre Gasly within the ultimate laps, which might have given the Scuderia two crucial further factors. Nonetheless, regardless of every thing, the Spanish driver managed to deliver a strong contribution to Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship tally.
The Losail race was received by a supercharged Max Verstappen, who, with a automobile remodeled in comparison with the Dash section of the weekend, managed to dominate everybody along with his RB20. It was already predicted earlier than the weekend that the Dutchman, removed from happy along with his F1 Drivers’ Championship victory, would give it his all. A poor efficiency got here from Mercedes, which, between Lewis Hamilton’s subject and a really gradual cease for George Russell, misplaced all probabilities of returning to the rostrum. Lastly, McLaren, the heavy favourite earlier than the Qatar Grand Prix, has lots to remorse.
Ferrari can smile, as can Charles Leclerc, who’s normally not content material with a second place. But there was a form of consciousness within the Maranello storage earlier than the Qatar weekend, and it appeared there was a robust risk that the championship could be sealed in McLaren’s favor one race early, given the competitiveness of the MCL38 on this monitor and the problems suffered by the SF-24, partly associated to its lack of rotation. Happily, this was not the case, and every thing is now postponed to Abu Dhabi.
Charles Leclerc acknowledged that the race was maybe probably the most bodily demanding F1 occasion of the 12 months. He famous that whereas there was no subject with administration or technique, because the workforce was flawless with the tires, the primary drawback was their lack of tempo. The Monegasque driver defined that in such conditions, it was essential to take advantage of each obtainable useful resource, which they efficiently did. He expressed satisfaction with the end result, acknowledging that though he’s normally not content material with a second-place end, on this event, they managed to beat McLaren and rating extra factors than anticipated. He added that the Maranello workforce had initially anticipated to attain fewer factors than their rivals. Nonetheless, he regretted the circumstances for Carlos Sainz, suggesting that they may have achieved a second and third-place end.
The Monegasque’s ultimate remark displays his dedication to imagine till the tip, past what the monitor may supply. The Ferrari driver doesn’t dwell on the structure or focus on the inherent traits of his automobile when it comes to how they may adapt to the Abu Dhabi circuit. He merely focuses on attaining the very best end result. Charles Leclerc remarked {that a} one-two end in Abu Dhabi could be vital for Ferrari to safe the Constructors’ Championship. He mirrored on his previous expertise, noting that he had by no means received in Monaco till it will definitely occurred, expressing hope {that a} comparable end result might happen once more. Nonetheless, it have to be stated {that a} one-two end is not going to be sufficient if the 2 McLarens end third and fourth.
Misfortune struck Carlos Sainz in the Qatar F1 Grand Prix, there isn’t any different approach to put it. This, regardless of his tempo not being significantly outstanding. The Spaniard, who had a less-than-stellar first a part of the race—partly on account of tire administration imposed by the Maranello workforce, which was a clearly vital selection), ran over particles from Alex Albon’s mirror, struggling a puncture and finishing a complete lap on three wheels. An actual disgrace, as a result of, as Charles Leclerc talked about, there was a real alternative to attain much more factors towards McLaren.
Carlos Sainz expressed his dissatisfaction with how the day unfolded, explaining that he needed to full a complete lap with a puncture, which price him vital time. He talked about that the pit cease was gradual and that the next Security Automobile deployment benefited the drivers forward. Whereas annoyed by the end result, he acknowledged that such conditions are a part of racing. Looking forward to Abu Dhabi, Carlos Sainz emphasised that the title was nonetheless inside attain and that they would wish an distinctive weekend, scoring many factors whereas limiting McLaren’s tally. The Spaniard assured that the Maranello workforce would give their all, believing they had been in a robust place to succeed.
Now Ferrari has no selection however to goal for the very best end result on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, particularly to do every thing attainable to safe first and second place, after which hope that one thing occurs to McLaren. As talked about, with a Ferrari one-two end and the 2 papaya vehicles in third and fourth, the factors scored wouldn’t be ample. Due to this fact, consideration additionally shifts to others, particularly Max Verstappen and the 2 Mercedes vehicles of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, whereas excluding Sergio Perez altogether, who will play the position of the arbiters of this 2024 Method 1 Constructors’ Championship. It stays to be seen in whose favor they may act.
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