After revealing a significant update package in the previous Formula 1 race in Barcelona, the results were disappointing for the team. However, they remained determined to further optimize their package for this weekend’s race. Although there was a slight improvement, it fell short of their expectations.
During the Sprint Qualifying, Carlos Sainz secured fifth place, while Charles Leclerc finished in tenth. Unfortunately, Leclerc was unable to set a lap in Q3 due to an anti-stall issue in the pitlane, resulting in a time restriction.
In the Sprint Race, Sainz managed to secure fifth place, but Leclerc struggled and finished in seventh. Both Ferrari cars were surpassed by Mercedes.
Qualifying was not much better for the team. Sainz finished fourth but was overtaken by George Russell. Leclerc, on the other hand, made a mistake during his final lap in Q3 and ended up in sixth position on the starting grid.
In a press statement on Saturday, Vasseur, the team spokesperson, expressed their overall progress: “We had a slight improvement compared to yesterday, but we expected a better position on the starting grid. We improved in the last sector but still faced challenges in certain corners.”
Vasseur also provided information about the performances of Sainz and Leclerc: “Carlos had a solid qualifying session, finishing just one hundredth of a second behind Russell. Charles was on a promising lap, much faster than the previous one, before locking up in turn 4. It’s a shame he used a set of used tires for his first lap in Q3 instead of a new one.”
Looking at Sunday’s race, Vasseur acknowledged the impact of DRS trains on the result: “We observed today that DRS trains can have a significant influence, allowing substantial gains if positioned correctly. However, being at the end of the train can lead to overheating of the tires and overall strain on the car. The start and the first lap will be crucial, and strategic pit stops will come into play.”
Sainz shared his thoughts on the day, stating: “It was a more positive day compared to yesterday. We increased our speed and made some beneficial changes. We are still struggling in fast corners, but we are actively working with the team to solve this issue. We are close to where I expected us to be, and our goal for tomorrow is clearly the podium.”
Leclerc expressed his disappointment with the Sprint race but remained hopeful for the main race: “Today was not particularly good. We made adjustments to the car’s setup after the Sprint race in search of the crucial tenths of a second we were missing. I believe our efforts have paid off, and we can climb up the rankings tomorrow. Despite making some mistakes in turns 4 and 6 during Q3, I am confident that we can aim for the podium. We are heading in the right direction, and I hope we can deliver a strong performance in the race.”
