Charles Leclerc achieved the fastest lap time in the second qualifying session (Q2), but unfortunately fell short of securing pole position in the third qualifying session (Q3) by a margin of 0.228 seconds behind Max Verstappen.
The 2024 Formula 1 season officially began with the conclusion of qualifying. Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the first race in Bahrain. Just behind, Charles Leclerc finished in second place during qualifying, narrowly missing out on pole position by a mere 0.228-second difference from the leader.
Consequently, Leclerc expressed his disappointment with the overall session and the missed opportunity to secure pole position. However, he acknowledged that the team had made progress compared to the previous season. In the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix, Leclerc failed to finish the race despite qualifying in third place. Therefore, a second-place qualifying result for the 2024 season was not the worst outcome for the Ferrari driver.
Furthermore, the 26-year-old driver hinted that he was faster than Verstappen during the Q2 session and even recorded a faster lap time than the Dutchman in Q3. However, the use of used tires during the Q3 session inadvertently hampered Leclerc’s qualifying performance. Consequently, this was a contributing factor for the Monegasque driver narrowly missing out on pole position for the season opener.
Red Bull once again developed a dominant car for the 2024 Formula 1 season. As a result, many people, including Leclerc, anticipate the likely domination of the team this season. Despite this, Leclerc remains hopeful that the SF24, Ferrari’s car for the 2024 season, will demonstrate impressive pace. The Monegasque driver previously mentioned that the car did not present any unpleasant surprises.
However, recognizing Red Bull’s dominant pace, Leclerc accepts the team’s fate for the season. He is confident in Maranello’s improvement compared to the previous season. However, the driver raises concerns about Ferrari’s chances against Red Bull throughout the season, emphasizing the significant advantage that the Milton Keynes team possesses in terms of pace.
Despite Red Bull’s formidable pace, the team remains determined and unwilling to give up. The Bahrain Grand Prix marks just the beginning of the exciting season ahead. Maranello is expected to demonstrate significant improvement as the season progresses. Furthermore, during Leclerc’s final season with the team, he will strive even harder to achieve exceptional results within the Ferrari camp.
