Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s ace driver, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s one-stop strategy at the Japanese Grand Prix held on Sunday.
Despite finishing fourth, Leclerc was pleased with the team’s execution, although he admitted that his qualifying performance left him with a steep hill to climb.
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Leclerc’s Uphill Battle
Starting from the eighth position, Leclerc managed to complete 27 laps on a set of medium tires before making the switch to hard tires. He put up a fierce defense to keep McLaren’s Lando Norris at bay but was eventually overtaken by his teammate, Carlos Sainz, who secured the third spot behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Driver of the Day Drops to Third
Despite being voted as the Driver of the Day, Leclerc slipped to third in the driver’s standings with 59 points, just four points ahead of Sainz. Verstappen currently leads the title race with 77 points, followed by his teammate Perez with 64 points.
Leclerc’s Focus on Qualifying Days
Leclerc acknowledged that his qualifying performance has been a weak link in his recent races. “It’s not often in my career that I’ve had to focus on qualifying days, but Australia and here, this is where I’ve been struggling. But I’m confident that I can improve quickly when I work on something,” Leclerc told Sky Sports.
Ferrari’s Comeback and Sainz’s Consistency
Ferrari’s team boss, Frederic Vasseur, commended the team’s strong comeback after a disappointing final practice session and qualifying. Sainz, who won the Australian Grand Prix two weeks prior, delivered another solid performance for Ferrari, claiming his third podium finish in as many races this season. Despite missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendix surgery, Sainz has been consistent in his performance.
Sainz’s Uncertain Future
Sainz, who is set to lose his race seat to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2025, remains uncertain about his future. “I have no clue where I’m going to be next year. We’re talking to many teams. I just need to stay focused and prove that when I’m given a fast car, I can maximize what I’m given,” Sainz said.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ferrari and its drivers to see if they can continue to improve and challenge for the title.
