Charles Leclerc claimed an unexpected second place at the Qatar Grand Prix, putting Ferrari back in the constructors' title race.
Charles Leclerc surprised at the Qatar Grand Prix by taking an unexpected second place, behind an untouchable Max Verstappen. In a race marked by the setbacks of his competitors and the solid performances of the McLarens, the Ferrari driver was able to do well to deliver a crucial result to his team.
Performance beyond expectations
Leclerc did not hide his satisfaction after the finish: “I'm really happy. Honestly, I would have signed straight away for this result after such a complicated weekend.”
The Losail circuit has never been favorable to the Ferrari SF-23, and qualifying had confirmed the difficulties facing the McLarens, who seemed impregnable.
However, thanks to a well-executed strategy and careful tire management, Leclerc managed to leapfrog his direct rivals, notably George Russell, to consolidate Ferrari's position in the constructors' championship.
Caution as the key to success
The race was marked by several tire-related incidents, notably the punctures of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz. Asked about his own strategy choices, Leclerc said he had adopted a cautious approach while exploiting the performance of his tires.
“I didn't know if it was because of the debris or the way you have to go over the curbs, but I preferred to drive on the left in a straight line to avoid any problems.”
This precaution paid off, even if the Monegasque regrets the absence of his teammate Sainz on the podium, which would have strengthened the points harvest for Ferrari.
Abu Dhabi: a final challenge for Ferrari
With a lead of 21 points to be made up over McLaren in the constructors' championship, Leclerc remains realistic but combative: “Everything is still possible. It's difficult, because the gaps are very close, but it's exciting. We're going to give everything to get this title.”
The last Grand Prix of the season, in Abu Dhabi, will be decisive. Ferrari will have to maximize its performance to hope to dethrone McLaren and save a checkered season. For Leclerc, this end of the championship represents an opportunity to show, once again, that he is a central pillar of the Italian team.
