Charles Leclerc insists that Ferrari have “acquired to react” after a disappointing Azerbaijan Grand Prix regardless of a double factors end for the Scuderia.
The Monegasque driver may solely end ninth in Sunday’s 51-lap race on the streets of Baku, with group mate Lewis Hamilton one place additional forward after each drivers began down the sector.
Hamilton had failed to achieve Q3 and began P12, whereas Leclerc crashed in Q3 and began P10 at a venue the place he had beforehand taken 4 pole positions on the bounce.
“We have to react. It isn’t been a robust weekend in any respect,” stated Leclerc when requested how he and the group transfer ahead.
“It is at all times simple in charge the automobile and I believe total the automobile this weekend hasn’t been the strongest and it has been a troublesome weekend. We’ve some explanations, first might be the method that I’ve had on the set-up, which hasn’t been the proper one. Second, I believe our automobile is struggling at any time when it is cool and it has been fairly chilly since yesterday and that made us wrestle.
“However I believe the principle purpose, and I’m the primary one accountable of that, is the error in Qualifying. Once you begin P10, it’s extremely troublesome to vary the scenario.
“You type of hope to beat the technique of all the opposite quick drivers however I type of ended up the opposite aspect and I used to be caught behind Liam [Lawson] the entire race. He did a extremely good job of defending and had good straight line velocity so he may maintain me behind, and I could not actually use my tempo, so it was a boring race.”
Ferrari entered the weekend after one other robust exhibiting on Friday, Hamilton having set the tempo in Free Follow 2 from Leclerc and proud of the route the group had taken.
The seven-time World Champion was content material together with his progress in a race the place overtaking was troublesome, however agreed together with his group mate’s evaluation that higher Qualifying efficiency was wanted.
“Acquired a superb begin and progressed to P8 was constructive,” he stated.
“I believe our final tempo was not nice within the race and I believe I misplaced loads of floor within the first stint, notably on the laborious tyre in comparison with the fellows on the mediums. However I got here again in direction of the top however I believe total the tempo was not likely nice and Qualifying clearly is vital.
“I believe it simply reveals that Qualifying is every thing, we did not function completely yesterday so we have some work to do however we’ll take it internally and attempt to enhance.”
