LATEST REPORT: Leclerc left disappointed after Ferrari decision during qualifying in Australia
Charles Leclerc expressed disappointment with his performance in Australian Grand Prix Qualifying, attributing it to a “very aggressive” wing change that Ferrari made. Despite a strong start, including a fourth-place finish in Q1 and outpacing Max Verstappen in Q2, Ferrari opted for a last-minute alteration to Leclerc’s front wing in pursuit of improved performance.
Unfortunately, this change did not yield the desired results for Leclerc or Ferrari. The adjustment affected Leclerc’s final run, prompting him to abandon his last lap and settle for fifth on the grid for the upcoming race. However, with Sergio Perez’s three-place grid penalty, Leclerc will start the Grand Prix in fourth position. Despite the setback, Leclerc remains optimistic for the race ahead.
Upon close reflection
“I’m confident the feeling will be back for the race tomorrow” 👊 @charles_leclerc will be pushing hard for another podium 💪 #AusGP 🇦🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3R2PKycWfq
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 23, 2024
In his conversation with Autosport, Charles Leclerc offered insights into his perspective on the qualifying session and the events leading up to it since Friday’s practice sessions. The Ferrari driver admitted that he sensed issues as early as FP3, noting a departure from his usual feeling with the car. Despite this, he remained optimistic that the car’s performance would improve during qualifying, as it typically does when equipped with fresh tires and low fuel.
Regarding his performance in Q3, Leclerc pointed out that the “very aggressive” change made to the SF-24’s wing played a significant role in his struggles. He explained that he experienced difficulties with the front tires throughout the session, and the adjustment made for his final run in Q3 didn’t yield the desired results. Despite the challenges faced during qualifying, Leclerc remains focused on maximizing his performance in the race, acknowledging that it will be a long event where he can work to make up for any shortcomings.
Who will take the blame?
Charles Leclerc, reflecting on his performance, acknowledged that he could have done more to help himself during qualifying, specifically mentioning his tyre preparation as a contributing factor to his struggles on the day. He admitted that the feeling with the car wasn’t right from FP3 onwards, making it more challenging to achieve a clean lap. Leclerc contrasted this with his performance on the previous day, where every lap felt clean and smooth.
He attributed the inconsistency in his performance to difficulties with tyre preparation, noting that either the front or rear axle would lose grip during his laps, which affected his overall performance. Leclerc admitted that he didn’t do a great job in managing his tyres effectively during qualifying, leading to a snowball effect where one mistake compounded onto the next. Ultimately, he accepted responsibility for his performance, recognizing that his shortcomings in tyre preparation contributed to his overall struggle during qualifying.
Eyeing up the competition
Charles Leclerc also noted that while he gained valuable insights from FP3, the session also shed light on Red Bull’s performance. He observed that Red Bull began utilizing full engine power from Turn 7 to Turn 9, resulting in a significant loss of three-tenths of a second for Ferrari during that segment of the track. Leclerc admitted that this indicated a challenging pursuit for pole position. Despite showing strength in Q1, the ultimate result fell short of his expectations.
Realistically, Leclerc acknowledged the difficulty in targeting a race win, particularly with Max Verstappen’s formidable performance. He identified Sergio Perez as a potential target, but recognized Red Bull’s overall strength, which exceeded their initial estimations. Despite the challenges posed by Red Bull, Leclerc’s primary aim remains securing a podium finish, with beating Perez being a key objective.
With Carlos Sainz starting from P2, Ferrari’s hopes of challenging Verstappen for the race lead may hinge on their ability to capitalize on strategic opportunities and maintain strong performance throughout the race. However, given Red Bull’s demonstrated strength, it will be a formidable task for Ferrari to overcome.