Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “That’s not our goal” / Formula 1

From sixth place on the grid, Charles Leclerc wanted to take the place of the Chinese GP. Before the start of the fifth GP of the season, he stressed: “It will depend on how we can overtake the people in front of us. ” Initially, the Monegasque fell behind – like his colleague Carlos Sainz, who started behind him. Because the two got in each other’s way.

Leclerc did not want to comment on the incident with his colleagues from “Sky Sports F1”: “It is always difficult with the tires at the beginning,” was his answer when asked about it. And about the good performance of Lando Norris, who was able to take second place in McLaren, he said: “I was surprised because the McLarens were very strong.”

“The damage to the lower body of Oscar Piastri helped us, but Norris was very strong, like the two guys from the Red Bull Championship. That’s why I think it was impossible for us this time,” analyzed the 26-year-old, who was also surprised: “It was strange that McLaren had the second half speed on that hard compound, I still don’t know why that was.”

And Leclerc explained, as usual, with self-criticism: “There are not many positives that we can take from a weekend like this. Because it is not our goal to achieve such a result.” The new parts that Ferrari wants to improve the red race give us hope. “I think the improvement should help us, that’s what we have to focus on now. It’s going to set the direction we’re going this season, so it’s important we get it right.”

China-GP, Shanghai International Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:40:52,554 h
02. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +13,773 sec
03. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +19,160
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +23,623
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +33,983
06. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +38,724
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +43,414
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +56.198
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +57,986
10. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1:00,476 min
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1:02,812
12. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +1:05,506
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1:09,223
14. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, +1:11,689
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1:22,768
16. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1:27.553
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1:35,110
outside
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, collision
Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, Collision
Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, engine

World Championship Position (after 5 out of 24 Grands Prix and 1 out of 6 Sprints)

the driver
01. Verstappen 110 points
02. Perez 85
03. Leclerc 76
04. Sainz 69
05. Norris 58
06. Plate 38
07. Russell 33
08. Alonso 31
09. Hamilton 19
10. Walk 9
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 4
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Okon 0
17. Zhou 0
18. Ricciardo 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 195 Punkte
02. Ferrari 151
03. McLaren 96
04. Mercedes 52
05. Aston Martin 40
06. Running Bull 7
07. Exactly 5
08. Williams 0
09. Alpine 0
10. Sauber 0