Charles Leclerc (4): “That’s kind of weird” / Formula 1

Charles Leclerc had to swallow a bitter pill in the final training for the Japanese doctor. When it came to Q3, he only managed the eighth fastest lap and his fourth race start of the season was just as difficult. But he did everything right in the race – and thanks to the 1-stop strategy, he reached the finish line in fourth place.

Afterwards, the Ferrari driver, whose teammate Carlos Sainz finished third on the podium, said: “Just looking at today, I’m very happy because I don’t think we could have done anything better this time. We showed a great race today. I think the result was not the best because of qualifying.”

And Leclerc admitted: “That’s what I want to focus on now, and that’s strange, because until now I’ve never focused on the last training because that was one of our strengths. But for two races we’ve been struggling to get the tires in the right window to work in training the last one. It’s not even the performance itself that’s wrong. It’s heating up the tires that’s been giving me trouble lately and I paid the price because I had to start the race from further back on the grid.”

“But apart from that, my pace was very good, the tire management in the race and the communication with the team, as well as the strategy, was good. I’m also happy that I was named Driver of the Day, because sometimes you have a good race and no one notices. “It was different this time,” the 26-year-old consoled himself.

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round
outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0