Ferrari appeared at the top of the standings at the end of the first day on track at the Japanese Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc who finished the second free practice session in third place.
In truth it was an almost useless session, where all the riders did little lap on a track made damp and treacherous by the rain and low temperatures that are characterizing Suzuka this week.
The Red had given some good signals in a timid simulation of race pace in the first free practice session, but in the Scuderia garage everyone preferred to keep their feet firmly on the ground, considering that the track was dirty, slippery and not rubberised. In short, it presented all those characteristics that, at least on paper, will not be invited to stay tomorrow.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“We didn't learn enough from this day, there is still a lot to understand and learn,” admitted Leclerc at the end of the second free practice session. “We still have several things to try, but this afternoon we achieved third place and we hope that it won't rain tomorrow, so we will have the opportunity to try the things we want to do with a track perhaps in different conditions than those we encountered today” .
“In Free Practice 1 we didn't lap too much, the track was dirty, slippery and with little rubber, so we didn't learn much in those conditions with the Hard tyres. On the Soft we only did a couple of laps. So we didn't lap much, while we still have several question marks that we need to find answers to and fix before tomorrow's qualifying.”
Among the many question points that Ferrari could ask themselves in these hours is the one linked to the performance on the flying lap, which tomorrow will have to allow Leclerc and Sainz to battle Max Verstappen and challenge him to conquer pole position.
Leclerc thinks that Red Bull, especially in the hands of the three-time world champion, still has an advantage that it can manage and this is why tomorrow's Free Practice 3 could be important for Ferrari, so as to try solutions that can allow its drivers to get closer to Max's performance and, at the very least, put him in difficulty.
“I will do my best to take advantage of the situation and maybe surprise the others in qualifying. This is the objective, for sure. The important thing is to make sure we are best prepared for tomorrow and I think for now we lack a bit of pace to fighting for pole position because the Red Bulls always seem strong, especially Max. In short, there is still some work to do, but I hope to be one of the drivers able to do a special lap in tomorrow's qualifying.”
Helmet of Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Charles Leclerc
Finally Leclerc spoke again about the helmet he used and will use throughout the Suzuka weekend. It is a helmet that sports the same livery as the one used by close friend Jules Bianchi in his last season in Formula 1, 2014.
“When I put on my helmet I always and only think about what happens on the track, but obviously it was a very important sign for me, this helmet, to bring it here to Suzuka. Before doing so I spoke to Jules' family, with whom we are always in contact, we are very friends and very close.”
“Jules' parents were really very happy that I could wear this helmet right here. I'm really happy to be able to do it. Jules is always here with us, he must be remembered. If I'm in Formula 1 today I owe it to him, it's thanks to him. In short, it's very important for me to wear this helmet right here and I hope I can have a great weekend wearing it”, concluded Leclerc.
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