Signs of fatigue or dejection? No, zero. Leclerc is the usual Charles, the answers and some general expressions change, but the approach is always the same.
After the beating at Spa, the post-race debrief in Maranello highlighted some critical issues and led to solutions that ‘we will be able to evaluate in Monza’, says Leclerc, or when Formula 1 will return to a track more similar to Spa than Zandvoort.
This weekend Leclerc hopes to compete with an affordable Red Bull, to be able to fight on equal terms with the same opponents who were (in Verstappen’s case) on another planet last weekend.
What emerged from the analysis of the Spa tender?
“The most important thing is obviously to clarify the reasons behind the performance gap we accused in comparison with Red Bull, because this was the biggest problem of last weekend. We have found some answers that we will be able to evaluate in Monza. This weekend will be different due to the very different layout of the track from Spa and Monza. If in the Italian GP we manage to reconfirm ourselves with performances closer to Red Bull, then it will mean that we have understood something “
Last year after the difficult French GP, in which tire management was not ideal, you immediately went to the simulator to understand how to solve the situation. Did it also happen in this circumstance after the difficult Spa weekend?
“No, I think we had a different kind of problem. In France last year it was mainly about tires, their handling that had definitely led us astray. At Spa, Red Bull was faster than everyone else, if we evaluate our performance in comparison with the rest of the group, we were not very far from our usual performance “.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75 during the pit stop at Spa
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Do you think the ground clearance of the car was a factor?
“Obviously it’s a very important aspect this year, but I don’t think the solution is in this area”.
Do you expect a different situation in Zandvoort?
“Yes, a very different level of downforce is used on this track, so we will be in a distant scenario compared to Spa. And… I hope it is more in line with what we saw in the first part of the season. This track should adapt better to our car, and I hope to have a very positive weekend ”.
In the race you must always rely on the strategic choices of the team. Do you trust?
“We must always maintain total trust within the team. I think this aspect is very important, especially when going through difficult times. We are very united and I fully trust the team ”.
From the outside there is the perception that there is occasionally some confusion in radio communications. Do you think there is something to improve?
“We always try to improve communication processes, and for my part I always try to push to be better and better. Whatever is said outside the team, I try not to pay attention to it ”.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Erik Junius
Do you feel in a position to sometimes contravene an indication from the team in the race? Would it have been useful to do it in Spa at the pit stop for the fastest lap?
“In that particular situation we weren’t in front of a real pit stop, intended as strategic for the management of the race, but it was just a stop to try the fastest lap. But the goal must always be to improve together and make the right decision ”.
Do you think that the new rules introduced by the FIA have penalized Ferrari more?
“I don’t think, at least, as a team we don’t think so. But of course we will see and learn more race after race, and we don’t think this is the reason for Spa’s performance ”.
Now that there don’t seem to be any more chances in terms of sprinting for the title, are you more relaxed?
“No. I have stopped counting the points that separate me from Max, but I know there are many. So let’s take it race by race, then we’ll see. But I can say that there is still a lot to fight for, starting with the Constructors ‘championship up to second place in the drivers’ championship ”.
If you think back to Max’s tear-off visor that got stuck in your brake vent at Spa, do you believe in bad luck?
“A little bit yes, these are scenarios beyond your control. Maybe we can work in the future to make sure that the visors stay inside the car, we’ll see. Suddenly there was a car leaking oil in Spa (Hamilton’s Mercedes after the accident in Les Combes with Alonso) and we all found ourselves with dirty visors, so we immediately took off the first one. It is certainly not Max’s fault, but perhaps in the future we could at least think about this problem ”.
Ferrari F1-75: here is the rear cargo wing brought to Zandvoort
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
What do you think could be your strengths here in Zandvoort?
“Overall I think we have a strong car, if you look at the first part of the season we have always been very strong in the corners, indeed, in all types of corners: at low and medium speed we are even stronger especially thanks to the traction. But if you look at Spa, they were strong everywhere. They were strong in the straights, they were strong in the corners. So let’s wait and see, but it should be better. “
Do you confirm that you have had a major degradation problem in Spa?
“The soft seemed to be fine, but after two laps I had to take it off for the stop necessary to remove the visor from the air intake. For the rest I think that the degradation for me was not really a problem. We had a good degradation but also a not very good overall performance, and this was the main problem ”.
Are you ready to ruin the ‘orange’ party this weekend?
“Well, you never feel bad when you win a race. The Dutch fans are extremely passionate and obviously with Max in the lead I am pretty sure they would be even happier to be there in the stands. But I still hope to be able to win! ”.
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