AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Ferrari’s Sprint Qualifying Struggles: Leclerc Admits Team is “Back to Reality” at Qatar GP

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
December 4, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Ferrari’s Sprint Qualifying Struggles: Leclerc Admits Team is “Back to Reality” at Qatar GP

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2024 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc during practice REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

Charles Leclerc has delivered a blunt assessment of Ferrari’s performance during Sprint Qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix, declaring the team has returned to “reality” after a promising FP1 session. Despite topping the timing sheets in practice, Ferrari failed to carry that momentum into qualifying, with Carlos Sainz and Leclerc managing only P4 and P5 respectively.


A Disheartening Reality Check

Ferrari’s Lusail International Circuit pace had sparked optimism during Friday’s FP1, where Leclerc led the session and Sainz was fourth. However, that optimism evaporated as McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, along with Mercedes’ George Russell, outpaced the Ferrari duo during the critical Sprint Qualifying session.

Leclerc:
“When you give it all and end up only P4 and P5, it’s not great, especially with how important this weekend is for us. FP1 gave us hope, but Sprint Qualifying brought us back to reality. It’s more in line with what we expected.”

Leclerc emphasized that while FP1’s pace was surprising, Ferrari knew the true challenge would come during the competitive sessions. The team now faces an uphill battle in their Constructors’ Championship fight with McLaren.


Sainz’s Struggles with Balance

Sainz, who qualified just ahead of his teammate, echoed Leclerc’s sentiments but stressed he was wary of reading too much into FP1 results. The Spaniard revealed that his car struggled with significant understeer during his Sprint Qualifying laps.

Sainz:
“The car felt better in FP1 than expected, but I knew we couldn’t rely on that. In Quali, I had a lot of understeer and couldn’t turn the car properly. My final lap was clean, but I had to play it safe after losing my previous attempt to track limits.”

Sainz’s cautious approach was necessary but frustrating, as Ferrari couldn’t fully exploit their package at a circuit where track limits and tire management are critical.


Ferrari’s Constructors’ Battle Intensifies

With just two race weekends remaining, Ferrari trails McLaren by 24 points in the Constructors’ Championship. Sprint points at Qatar could prove crucial, but Ferrari must find more pace to challenge McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who qualified P1 and P3 for the Sprint.

Ferrari’s mixed performance highlights their continued inconsistency, with Leclerc admitting:

“We are not in the best position, but race day is always different. Anything can happen.”


What’s Next for Ferrari?

As Sprint Race Day looms, Ferrari must address the balance issues that plagued their qualifying runs and capitalize on any opportunities during the main event. With McLaren firmly in form and Mercedes also lurking, the Scuderia will need a strategic and flawless weekend to keep their championship hopes alive.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Max Verstappen Demands Red Bull’s Rise Against McLaren Dominance to Secure F1 Crown
Motorsports

Max Verstappen Demands Red Bull’s Rise Against McLaren Dominance to Secure F1 Crown

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by James Taylor
June 8, 2025
Bubba Wallace Roars in Legal Battle: NASCAR Lawsuit Threatens Team’s Championship Future
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Roars in Legal Battle: NASCAR Lawsuit Threatens Team’s Championship Future

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace is introduced before the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday,...

by Carl Smith
June 8, 2025
Daniel Ricciardo Urged to Reignite Racing Career Amid Red Bull Controversy
Motorsports

Daniel Ricciardo Urged to Reignite Racing Career Amid Red Bull Controversy

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Publisher
June 8, 2025
Max Verstappen Unleashes Shocking Retirement Ultimatum, Sends F1 World Reeling
Motorsports

Max Verstappen Unleashes Shocking Retirement Ultimatum, Sends F1 World Reeling

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by David Castro
June 8, 2025

Recent News

Max Verstappen Demands Red Bull’s Rise Against McLaren Dominance to Secure F1 Crown

Max Verstappen Demands Red Bull’s Rise Against McLaren Dominance to Secure F1 Crown

June 8, 2025
Bubba Wallace Roars in Legal Battle: NASCAR Lawsuit Threatens Team’s Championship Future

Bubba Wallace Roars in Legal Battle: NASCAR Lawsuit Threatens Team’s Championship Future

June 8, 2025
Daniel Ricciardo Urged to Reignite Racing Career Amid Red Bull Controversy

Daniel Ricciardo Urged to Reignite Racing Career Amid Red Bull Controversy

June 8, 2025
Max Verstappen Unleashes Shocking Retirement Ultimatum, Sends F1 World Reeling

Max Verstappen Unleashes Shocking Retirement Ultimatum, Sends F1 World Reeling

June 8, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks