Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur has admitted his bewilderment at Scuderia’s sudden rebound in form at the Canadian Grand Prix after a poor performance in Spain.
Charles Leclerc, struggling with Ferrari’s improved package, finished a miserable 19th in qualifying at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and failed to score any points.
Meanwhile, teammate Carlos Sainz, although initially a promising candidate, struggled to hold his position throughout the race as the SF-23 was inconsistent across different tire compounds.
However, there was a significant turnaround in Canada as both riders showed resilience despite difficult qualifying conditions. They stormed through the stands, securing fourth and fifth places and passing Red Bull’s Sergio Perez throughout the race.
When asked about the sudden improvement, Vasseur replied with a succinct “No”. He further explained: “Nevertheless, we are steering the development of our car in this direction to achieve consistency and make it more manageable for our drivers.”
“We are gradually making progress, but it would be premature to draw definitive conclusions from a single event.”
A hectic scene ensued around Leclerc’s car before the race as mechanics on the grid worked feverishly on the Monegasque’s underbody.
Explaining the cause for concern, Vasseur explained: “We have obtained FIA approval to replace the plank. There was contact during the warm-up lap and the regulations prohibit swapping parts without a go-ahead.”
The Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is the next destination on the Formula 1 calendar and will take place on Sunday 2 July.
Continue reading: Charles Leclerc praises SF-23’s consistency in Ferrari’s successful one-stop strategy in Canada | PlanetSport
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