Charles Leclerc says Ferrari’s low-key efficiency in Qatar dash qualifying was a “coming again to actuality” second after securing fourth and fifth on Saturday’s Method 1 grid.
The Monegasque had headlined free apply with a substantial margin over Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, beating the McLarens by virtually 0.5 seconds, however fell behind them and George Russell in qualifying.
He was additionally outqualified by team-mate Carlos Sainz, who clinched fourth within the dying levels of SQ3.
Leclerc believes that this was extra consultant of Ferrari’s actual tempo, though mentioned that he was disenchanted to not capitalise on the hopes raised by a powerful apply session.
“It is not good as a result of once you give all of it and we’re solely P4 and P5, it is not nice contemplating how necessary this weekend is for us,” mentioned Leclerc.
“However as an example that for no matter cause FP1 was lots above our expectations. This [sprint qualifying] I am going to say is according to what we anticipated, so we’re coming again to actuality.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Picture by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
“Clearly after FP1 there have been hopes that we may do one thing higher, however we did not.
“If we take a look at FP1 clearly sure [the sprint win is possible], if we take a look at qualifying no. For now essentially the most consultant is quali so we’re not in the most effective place. However we by no means know, it is all the time completely different coming race day.”
Sainz defined why he solely managed to get a single lap in in direction of the top of the ultimate session, stating that he was scuffling with automobile stability – notably understeer – and couldn’t take too many dangers on the kerbs.
He added that the sooner aborted laps weren’t helped by Max Verstappen’s preparation laps forward, given the soiled air impact at Losail Worldwide Circuit.
“We did not maximise our package deal,” mentioned Sainz. “Despite the fact that the lap was clear, it was only a lap with numerous understeer within the automobile.
“I simply could not flip the automobile principally for the entire lap. It was additionally a tricky lap as a result of it was my solely probability to place in a lap, so I could not threat it an excessive amount of with monitor limits as a result of I missed the earlier lap, I simply had to ensure I used to be getting a lap in.
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
“Sadly we had been in a scenario the place I went into sector one and sector two with Max in entrance, and he was making ready his tyres so I had fairly a little bit of soiled air following him round.
“On high of that, the automobile stability was simply off. We picked up numerous understeer from the [soft] tyre which meant we had been simply merely struggling to show the automobile.
“Then I wanted to chill the tyres for a few laps and after I went once more, the understeer rebalance was nonetheless there. However I wanted to place a lap in and that was sufficient for fourth.”
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On this article
Jake Boxall-Legge
Method 1
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