Between track exits and frustration, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc will have to rely on rapid repairs and a good strategy to hope to get back into the race.
During qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix, Ferrari drivers experienced serious difficulties on a wet track, complicating their chances for the race scheduled for the afternoon.
Carlos Sainz saw his qualifying end prematurely due to an error in Q3. While trying to adapt to the intermediate tires, the Spanish driver lost control of his SF-24 and crashed into the barriers. A situation which places him in uncertainty for the upcoming race.
“It was my first lap on intermediate tires, and I clearly misjudged the level of grip” he said after the incident.
Sainz also highlighted his lack of comfort on wet tracks this season: “I haven't been very comfortable in the car in the rain this year, for a reason that we haven't identified yet. This session was really on the limit, and I didn't have it appreciated.”
Hoping that his car would be ready for the start, Sainz wanted to encourage his team: “The car should be ready to race, unless something unforeseen happens. Good luck to the mechanics, I'm sorry.”
Ferrari will therefore have to work hard to restore its car within very tight deadlines.
Charles Leclerc: a session disrupted by yellow flags
For his part, Charles Leclerc managed to reach Q3 but had to settle for a modest sixth time, frustrated by the constant interruptions. Yellow flags punctuated his session, preventing him from completing a clean lap and getting the most out of his car.
“It was a disaster” he lamented, adding: “I couldn’t do a single lap without a yellow flag!”
Leclerc also highlighted the difficulty of keeping the tires warm, another factor that compromised his performance: “In Q3 we hit the track early, but as our box is far down the pit lane, the tires got cold and it cost me valuable time.”
For the Monegasque, all the elements seemed to be working against him.
Ferrari must redouble its efforts for the race
With these disappointing qualifications, Ferrari will have to deploy an effective strategy to compensate for their starting positions.
The unpredictable weather at Interlagos could work in their favor, but it is certain that the Italian team must overcome these obstacles if they hope to bring home significant points in the race.
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