Charles Leclerc Reflects on Ferrari's 'Too Much' Gap in Dutch GP Qualifying
Race Day Reflections from Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc has declared that Ferrari's performance, with a gap of 0.909 seconds to Lando Norris's pole lap in the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, is simply 'too much'. The team has faced difficulties, slipping behind competitors Mercedes and McLaren since Leclerc's impressive victory at Monaco. Zandvoort has proven challenging for Ferrari this weekend, with issues arising during practice sessions.
Performance Issues at Zandvoort
- Carlos Sainz's gearbox issue affected his FP2.
- After mixed conditions in FP1 and FP3, Sainz started qualifying unprepared.
- Leclerc managed to place sixth but acknowledged the significant gap to Norris.
When questioned if this gap reflects Ferrari's current reality, Leclerc replied that indeed, it does. He highlighted the need for performance improvements, stating, “We are doing absolutely everything to close that gap as soon as possible.”
Hope for Improvement
Despite current struggles, Leclerc remains optimistic, suggesting that the high-downforce track might be a specific issue for Ferrari. He noted, “There's a roadmap [for recovery],” indicating potential upgrades could help the team regain competitiveness. Leclerc admitted the nine-tenths gap still raises concerns about their performance for the rest of the season.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.