In deep frustration after Imola: Ferrari in deep crisis – Formula 1

Charles Leclerc has never been to Miami. © APA / JARED C. TILTON

For the upcoming home race at the “Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari”, the already disappointing Scuderia needs a mood booster. And absolutely.

08 May 2023

From: fop

Fifth place for Carlos Sainz, seventh place for Charles Leclerc. There is currently no question of Red Bull’s challenger in the Formula 1 World Cup at Ferrari. “We have a big lack of speed in the race,” Leclerc complained: “The speed is there in qualifying, but we are very far behind in the race.”

However, Leclerc could not power over the round in Miami either. After going off the grid once in free practice, it happened to the Monegasque in the knockout stage as well. In the race, he had nothing to do with fighting for the microphone. Teammate Sainz, who started third, didn’t either. Red Bull is in a league of its own, but Aston Martin and Mercedes were also faster than them, said Leclerc.

“It’s disappointing.”
Carlos Sainz

“I spoke with Carlos after the race and we agreed that the car is not very compatible in the race,” said the 25-year-old. It is practically impossible to go to the limit. “It’s disappointing,” said Sainz, who also received a five-second penalty for driving too fast on the pit lane. At least this had no effect.

There is not much processing time. After the first five Grands Prix and only one podium finish for Ferrari – Leclerc in Azerbaijan – the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola will take place on May 21. A week after the European opening, the Monaco classic takes place, followed a week later at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

“We will continue to work in Maranello on the development of car updates and further improvements with the aim of getting more out of the car in front of our Tifosi at the next race at Imola,” announced team boss Frederic Vasseur.