The constructive information for Ferrari from the Barcelona weekend was the third podium of the season (secured by Charles Leclerc) and second place within the Constructors’ Championship standings.
The much less encouraging information is that there was no shift triggered by the versatile wing laws—McLaren stays out of attain, and Crimson Bull isn’t fairly inside vary both. After qualifying, Charles Leclerc had taken duty for the alternatives made in preparation for the 66-lap race (particularly, sacrificing a set of softs in Q3 to have an additional set of mediums within the race), and judging by the ultimate consequence, he was proper.
Nonetheless, Charles Leclerc’s deserves had been largely in his driving. An important distinction within the Monegasque’s race got here within the first half-lap, when he handed Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, instantly latching onto Lewis Hamilton’s slipstream, because the Briton would later should let him by way of as a result of a transparent distinction in tempo.
As soon as in fourth place, although, Charles Leclerc’s race appeared to hit a ceiling. In the course of the closing stint, his tempo on the second set of mediums wasn’t significantly quick—George Russell behind him decreased the hole from seven to 4 seconds. The protection automobile proved providential, permitting Charles Leclerc to change again to softs, which helped him defend from George Russell and assault Max Verstappen, who had rejoined on hards.
There’s, nevertheless, a small thriller surrounding Charles Leclerc’s closing laps. His lap occasions weren’t spectacular, and when Frederic Vasseur was requested whether or not there had been an issue with the automobile (Toto Wolff talked about a potential oil leak), his reply was an oblique affirmation: “We had a small drawback, however it had nothing to do with an oil leak.”
On the finish of the race, Charles Leclerc compelled a smile. Third place wasn’t the consequence he had hoped to greet as excellent news, however in gentle of this primary third of the season, it successfully is. “Yesterday we determined to sacrifice qualifying a bit to have a greater race,” he commented, “however I didn’t anticipate to finish up on the rostrum, so I’m very comfortable. The primary two stints had been very constructive, the final one on the mediums was a bit extra sophisticated. However then the protection automobile got here, which gave us the chance to suit softs once more, and we made essentially the most of it.”
A really completely different ambiance was felt on the opposite aspect of the storage. Lewis Hamilton described the race as one in all his worst experiences, and when requested if there was at the least one thing constructive to remove, his reply was blunt: “Zero.” Frederic Vasseur’s response was clear: “I believe (Hamilton) spent 70% of the race forward of Russell, and I don’t suppose Russell stated his race was a catastrophe. However then we had an issue along with his automobile over the last stint, earlier than the protection automobile. The consequence isn’t good, however he did 45 laps in entrance of Russell.”
As soon as once more, the Scuderia’s group principal didn’t need to disclose the problem that occurred on automobile quantity 44.
“At present’s race was removed from what I had hoped for,” concluded Lewis. “I used to be assured earlier than the race, after a great qualifying and with the automobile seemingly enhancing in efficiency. However within the race, the stability wasn’t what I wished and we lacked tempo from the beginning.
“In the meanwhile we don’t have an evidence; we’ll want to investigate the info and perceive whether or not there was some sort of drawback. Congratulations to Charles, who did an ideal job and deserved the rostrum.” Within the final 5 races, Leclerc has reached the rostrum 3 times—Hamilton hasn’t been there as soon as since sporting pink. Discontent is starting to floor…
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