It is often said among professionals that a top Formula 1 driver needs only a couple of laps to familiarize himself with the track conditions. Confirmation came yesterday from Leclerc, blocked in FP1 after just one lap due to an error on his part, and able to redeem himself three hours later with a qualifying session at… Charles. The front row was pure oxygen for Leclerc, who at the end of the session removed a few pebbles from his shoes, confirming the weight of the judgments that had cast doubt on his performance in qualifying
“After doing just one lap in FP1, I had to go straight into qualifying and give it my all – he explained – in Sprint qualifying we are only allowed to use one set of tires per session so it was very, very complicated. But I immediately found the right feeling, the work done since the beginning of the season to put the tires in the right window has paid off, so I’m satisfied. There is always a lot of chatter, unfortunately in this sport your value is given by many people based on what you achieved in the last race, if two qualifications don’t go well that’s when people start talking. It would be time to stop.”
After the Suzuka weekend Leclerc focused a lot on tire preparation work in qualifying, but the setup problems that arose in Shanghai did not allow him to have precise feedback. In yesterday’s qualifying, made treacherous by the lack of references, the answer he was looking for arrived.
Charles Leclerc in Miami
“I have mixed feelings – concluded Leclerc – in FP1 I paid for an overall unfortunate episode, the mistake was really small, I think it could happen in the first free practice session, and when I tried to get back on track I had a problem to the clutch and I was unable to start again. However, being on the front row is undoubtedly positive, it’s nice when you see the result of the work done. I have always been convinced that I can manage the tires well and today I proved it. Now we have to continue to do so in the next races too, but I’m happy to put an end to these stories.”
Different mood in the Sainz area. Carlos completed a good free practice session, and seemed to be heading towards a qualifying with important objectives. Then the cold shower: fifth position and above all 0″354 gap compared to Leclerc. “The car behaved differently in qualifying compared to free practice – explained Sainz – we struggled a lot with grip as well as putting the sectors together, it’s something we need to examine because I didn’t have a good feeling throughout the entire qualifying session. . When I put on the Softs I was still completing a good lap, but I made a mistake at turn 17 which cost me more than three tenths, so I’m not happy.”
For Ferrari, as well as for its opponents, the Sprint race will be a leap into the unknown. “The target? We hope for first position – commented Leclerc smiling – but I have no idea what our race pace will be, I did a fast lap but no one was able to complete any long runs. It will be a taster in view of the Grand Prix, we’ll see.”
A vision also confirmed by Fred Vasseur: “As regards expectations for tomorrow’s race, it is difficult to make predictions because many, including us, have not tried long runs. We will use the Sprint Race to prepare for Sunday’s Grand Prix, and we will have the opportunity to check whether the choices made in terms of set-up will allow us to have an advantage in terms of tire management. We will need a good start, especially from Carlos, but I think we have some cards to play.”
In view of the continuation of the weekend, Ferrari focused on a different strategy compared to Red Bull, keeping an extra set of new medium tyres, both soft and medium, sacrificing a hard one.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24
Photo by: Erik Junius
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