Morale at Ferrari has improved considerably after Charles Leclerc’s first podium of the season on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. After a really difficult Saturday, the Monegasque driver delivered an distinctive race by way of tire administration and tempo, sustaining sturdy efficiency each on Medium and Onerous compounds. He made an unstoppable restoration on George Russell, ultimately overtaking him, and likewise managed to defend himself towards the ultimate assaults from a fired-up Lando Norris. The Jeddah race showcased, a minimum of partially, the potential of the SF-25. Nevertheless, performing properly on Sunday isn’t sufficient to purpose for victory or persistently attain the rostrum. Leclerc is aware of this and, not surprisingly, emphasised that necessary updates can be wanted to handle the present fundamental challenge for Ferrari: qualifying.
“What we’re lacking now could be qualifying efficiency. It comes a bit from the shortage of aerodynamic downforce in comparison with McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes,” Charles acknowledged after the Jeddah race. “Our sturdy level, nevertheless, is tire degradation. We noticed in the course of the race that it was superb, however in qualifying we are able to’t do higher, and that’s the place we lose each weekend.”
“Nevertheless, there are a lot of issues that I’ve to be blissful about. For a number of weekends now, I’ve been understanding one thing that unlocked efficiency, and it’ll unlock much more efficiency for me. It’s been a very long time since I felt as comfy within the automotive as I do now, however we have to discover extra efficiency usually.”
At the moment, it appears tough to think about a Ferrari closing the efficiency hole to McLaren in only a few races. Leclerc, the truth is, believes that solely in Barcelona will issues change. In the course of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, checks on wing flex can be stricter, and that’s the place Ferrari hopes—a minimum of based on Leclerc’s phrases—to scale back the hole to the MCL39, because of the drawback the brand new rules ought to carry to the papaya vehicles.
“Successful is the one factor that issues to me. We are able to meet up with McLaren with the updates that can come. There can even be an necessary race in Spain when the entrance wing will change because of the rules. We’ll see how the efficiency compares then. Earlier than that weekend, will probably be tough to shut the hole to McLaren.”
Returning to Ferrari, Charles didn’t conceal his satisfaction with each his personal efficiency—he was blissful together with his qualifying tempo and the way he managed the race—and the workforce’s efficiency. The mechanics at Maranello have had a wonderful season by way of pit stops. Yesterday, they managed to carry out a tire change on Charles Leclerc’s SF-25 (from Medium to Onerous) in simply 2 seconds. A fantastic end result that helped Charles rejoin Russell and make the assault in a fairly brief time. The overtake resulted in a podium, his first of the season.
“I’m pleased with my efficiency and the workforce’s efficiency. As a result of the workforce did the whole lot completely. The technique was excellent, the pit cease was excellent as all the time. The fellows within the pit cease are doing a unprecedented job. There’s numerous discuss pit stops when there are errors, however not a lot when the whole lot goes properly, and they’re doing an excellent job.”
Apr 21, 2025
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