With Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, in opposition to the percentages, Ferrari leaves spherical 23 of the 2024 System 1 championship, the Qatar Grand Prix, with three factors gained over rivals McLaren through the penultimate weekend of the present racing marketing campaign. Between the occasions of the Dash Race and the chaotic Sunday race, the Maranello staff now finds itself 21 factors behind the Woking staff within the Constructors’ Championship standings. A optimistic consequence retains hope alive till the ultimate nook at Yas Marina. Many issues occurred in Losail, and the FIA was fully unable to handle the state of affairs.
Seemingly easy conditions grew to become extraordinarily difficult because of the sluggish execution by the brand new race director, Rui Marques, who left a mirror on the straight with out deploying the Digital Security Automotive to take away it, which not directly triggered the punctures of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz. He additionally issued a fairly heavy penalty to Lando Norris, successfully excluding him from the race, even supposing the British driver finally completed tenth with the extra level for the quickest lap and from the prospect to battle for victory, as he was within the thick of the battle with Max Verstappen.
Ferrari definitely took benefit of this case: Charles Leclerc completed second forward of Oscar Piastri, whereas Carlos Sainz managed to recuperate after his puncture, securing at the least sixth place. The Spaniard might have definitely achieved a greater outcome, maybe passing Pierre Gasly within the closing laps, which might have given the Scuderia two crucial further factors. Nonetheless, regardless of the whole lot, the Spanish driver managed to carry a stable contribution to Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship tally.
The Losail race was gained by a supercharged Max Verstappen, who, with a automotive remodeled in comparison with the Dash phase of the weekend, managed to dominate everybody together with his RB20. It was already predicted earlier than the weekend that the Dutchman, removed from glad together with his F1 Drivers’ Championship victory, would give it his all. A poor efficiency got here from Mercedes, which, between Lewis Hamilton’s situation and a really sluggish cease for George Russell, misplaced all possibilities of returning to the rostrum. Lastly, McLaren, the heavy favourite earlier than the Qatar Grand Prix, has lots to remorse.
Ferrari can smile, as can Charles Leclerc, who’s normally not content material with a second place. But there was a form of consciousness within the Maranello storage earlier than the Qatar weekend, and it appeared there was a powerful risk that the championship can be sealed in McLaren’s favor one race early, given the competitiveness of the MCL38 on this observe and the problems suffered by the SF-24, partly associated to its lack of rotation. Happily, this was not the case, and the whole lot is now postponed to Abu Dhabi.
Charles Leclerc said that the race was maybe probably the most bodily demanding F1 occasion of the yr. He famous that whereas there was no situation with administration or technique, because the staff was flawless with the tires, the primary drawback was their lack of tempo. The Monegasque driver defined that in such conditions, it was essential to benefit from each out there useful resource, which they efficiently did. He expressed satisfaction with the result, acknowledging that though he’s normally not content material with a second-place end, on this event, they managed to beat McLaren and rating extra factors than anticipated. He added that the Maranello staff had initially anticipated to attain fewer factors than their rivals. Nonetheless, he regretted the circumstances for Carlos Sainz, suggesting that they may have achieved a second and third-place end.
The Monegasque’s closing remark displays his willpower to consider till the tip, past what the observe may supply. The Ferrari driver doesn’t dwell on the structure or focus on the inherent traits of his automotive by way of how they could adapt to the Abu Dhabi circuit. He merely focuses on attaining the absolute best outcome. Charles Leclerc remarked {that a} one-two end in Abu Dhabi can be needed for Ferrari to safe the Constructors’ Championship. He mirrored on his previous expertise, noting that he had by no means gained in Monaco till it will definitely occurred, expressing hope {that a} related consequence might happen once more. Nonetheless, it should be mentioned {that a} one-two end is not going to be sufficient if the 2 McLarens end third and fourth.
Misfortune struck Carlos Sainz in the Qatar F1 Grand Prix, there isn’t a different technique to put it. This, regardless of his tempo not being significantly outstanding. The Spaniard, who had a less-than-stellar first a part of the race—partly because of tire administration imposed by the Maranello staff, which was a clearly needed alternative), ran over particles from Alex Albon’s mirror, struggling a puncture and finishing a whole lap on three wheels. An actual disgrace, as a result of, as Charles Leclerc talked about, there was a real alternative to attain much more factors in opposition to McLaren.
Carlos Sainz expressed his dissatisfaction with how the day unfolded, explaining that he needed to full a whole lap with a puncture, which price him important time. He talked about that the pit cease was sluggish and that the following Security Automotive deployment benefited the drivers forward. Whereas annoyed by the result, he acknowledged that such conditions are a part of racing. Waiting for Abu Dhabi, Carlos Sainz emphasised that the title was nonetheless inside attain and that they would wish an distinctive weekend, scoring many factors whereas limiting McLaren’s tally. The Spaniard assured that the Maranello staff would give their all, believing they had been in a powerful place to succeed.
Now Ferrari has no alternative however to goal for the absolute best outcome on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, specifically to do the whole lot potential to safe first and second place, after which hope that one thing occurs to McLaren. As talked about, with a Ferrari one-two end and the 2 papaya automobiles in third and fourth, the factors scored wouldn’t be adequate. Due to this fact, consideration additionally shifts to others, specifically Max Verstappen and the 2 Mercedes automobiles of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, whereas excluding Sergio Perez altogether, who will play the function of the arbiters of this 2024 System 1 Constructors’ Championship. It stays to be seen in whose favor they may act.
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