While the F1 begins its fifth meeting of the season, for the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, Ferrari, it continues its rise to the outposts. Last week, the Scuderia introduced a new floor, still in order to improve the performance of the SF-25, a little behind its competitors, especially in qualifying. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finally scored a fourth and a fifth promising places during the race in Sakhir.
Nevertheless, in Bahrain, Leclerc had mentioned the fact that the full impact of the floor could not be noticed. To the question of whether the floor will be more useful this week, the Monegasque replied: “It should be. With the layout of [Djeddah]I think we should take a little step forward, a little more than Bahrain, which is positive, but we still have to confirm it. But I think that the figures we expected from this upgrade to Bahrain are the ones we saw and yes, if we consider that they are good, I think we will benefit a little more on this circuit. “
“I think that, on the whole, adhesion has been greatly improved in specific turns, the shift phases, in particular from which we should benefit a little more on a circuit like this. But in terms of balance in turns, I do not think that it is a very significant change.”
Leclerc is still aware of the gap between Ferrari from the championship leaders, believing that the Italian team is between the third and the fourth force of the set: “I think we are 2 or 3 tenths of [McLaren]. Like Mercedes, maybe Mercedes is slightly in advance, and Red Bull was a little more irregular this year, so it is a little more difficult to get a clear idea of their level. “
Fears of yet another failed season for Ferrari?
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo de: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Asked about his fears that this season is transformed into yet another missed opportunity for Ferrari and that the team focuses on the development of 2026 in the coming months, Leclerc replied: “For this to be a missed opportunity, there must be an opportunity at some point. But for the moment, we have not been at the level that we wanted since the start of the season. The season is still long, we must not give up and we will fight to the end.”
“We often say, ‘oh but, let’s go right away in next year’s car’. I think that this kind of thing is getting more and more in parallel with the new structures of Formula 1, so I don’t think we can be extreme in one direction or the other. It does not mean that we are only focusing on this season, forgetting next season or vice versa.”
“I think we are trying to get the best out of both worlds and we will see where it will take us. Then, of course, as soon as our chances in the championship this year will no longer be possible, it will probably be wise to focus fully on 2026.”
