The Thursday in Austin coincided with Charles Leclerc’s twenty-eighth birthday, and the Monegasque driver hoped to provide himself a pleasant reward over the Texan weekend. Ferrari’s present state of affairs doesn’t enable for large expectations, however the hope of securing a robust consequence—helped by the Dash format of the USA Grand Prix—stays alive greater than ever.
Leclerc: “The Dash weekend is a chance”
Thus far, the SF-25 has held its personal throughout the three Dash weekends accomplished this season. Reminiscences naturally go to China, the place Lewis Hamilton claimed pole and victory, however there’s additionally the instance of Spa, the place Leclerc completed fourth within the brief race earlier than ending third on Sunday. It’s these precedents that the Ferrari driver referred to whereas talking to Sky Sport F1: “The Dash weekend is all the time a possibility, however with alternatives come dangers, as a result of should you begin on the flawed foot, it may be an uphill battle. I’m assured, nonetheless, as a result of we now have usually had stable Dash weekends.”
The SF-25 has typically proven promise by beginning weekends with robust performances throughout Friday apply periods. This may be useful in a weekend the place the Dash Qualifying is the second session on observe: “The group is superb at making ready the automobile and placing it on observe at roughly the fitting window,” Charles Leclerc added. “After that, it is going to clearly rely on our automobile’s general efficiency in comparison with the others. We all know that in the intervening time we’re barely behind, however I’ll do the whole lot I can.”
The rumors round Ferrari
Ferrari has appeared to wrestle behind the advances of Crimson Bull and Mercedes, who’ve taken the final three wins. These disappointing outcomes have reignited rumors in regards to the Maranello group—a subject addressed by Charles Leclerc after Lewis Hamilton dismissed them as “distractions” throughout a press convention held shortly earlier than in Austin: “It’s a reasonably troublesome second as a result of there are such a lot of issues across the group that I don’t perceive the place they arrive from,” mentioned Charles Leclerc. “I’m speaking about rumors relating to Horner, however not solely that, I imply typically. There are 1000’s, I don’t know, they’re not based mostly on something, and that’s the difficult half. So I hope for a very good weekend for the group in order that these items could be forgotten. We concentrate on what’s important, however it’s by no means nice to indicate up, keep away from social media, after which be requested questions the place you now not perceive something since you don’t know the place they got here from.”
Leclerc additionally dispelled hypothesis relating to his potential curiosity in different groups: “There’s plenty of hypothesis about me, but in addition in regards to the group typically, for some cause. I really feel that too many individuals say issues that aren’t based mostly on information. And that’s a bit annoying. I’m in love with Ferrari, I wish to win with the group, and we’re all pushing to be prepared when the brand new technical cycle begins subsequent 12 months. So so far as I’m involved, there’s solely Ferrari. I’ve all the time made that very clear. I like the group, I’ve all the time beloved Ferrari… I wish to win with Ferrari. So that is my precedence in the intervening time.”
The troublesome season: Charles Leclerc’s admission
Chatting with Canal+, Charles Leclerc additionally mirrored on Ferrari’s disappointing season, assuring that the group remains to be doing the whole lot potential to enhance outcomes: “Nobody is happy. Typically I see or hear individuals say there isn’t sufficient response. After I see what’s occurring inside the group, I can guarantee you that there are main reactions making an attempt to get again to successful.”
On the Circuit of the Americas, one 12 months in the past, Charles Leclerc and Ferrari achieved their final Grand Prix victory: “As Ferrari, we’re all conscious that it isn’t potential, and it’s unacceptable, to be in a state of affairs the place we haven’t gained for a 12 months,” the Monegasque added. He concluded with an sincere admission relating to the SF-25’s weaknesses: “This 12 months, the truth is that we’re not as much as par.”
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