The problems with the Ferrari are clear. This is the point from which Maranello started after experimenting in recent races with both the old and new packages for the SF-24. However, there is a problem: as of now, there are no solutions to quickly correct the issues.
Charles Leclerc stated this in an interview with Sky Sport after the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Ferrari finished in fifth and sixth place behind the two McLarens, as well as Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
Ferrari has had to sacrifice race weekends again this year to better understand what wasn’t working with the car. In 2023, the team quickly found effective solutions, but according to the Monegasque, things might be different this year due to the time needed to find what the SF-24 requires to become competitive again as it was a few weeks ago.
“I believe the key… We’ve done the same work as last year and obtained very precise data. And that’s a sure thing. Last year we were in a situation where we had solutions in hand to resolve it.”
“I believe that today, unfortunately, that situation is different. We don’t have something to put on the car to fix the problems we have. So I’m sorry to say it, but I think we’ll need more time to have something that can help us improve.”
Leclerc then reflected on the race in Budapest, stating that the pace he had could have even led him to the podium. The final fourth place was good, but even with a different strategy between the second and third stints, he might have still ended up outside the Top 3.
“I think the podium was possible, the pace was there. We must remember that we’re in Budapest: on this track, it’s very difficult to overtake. However, I don’t know, even when I got out of the car, I had the feeling that if we had stayed on track with Max at the end of the second stint, maybe we could have had a better final stint, but it went that way.”
“We tried to do the undercut on Max to pass him, and we managed it, but then we lost the position. In the end, I don’t think we could have done much more than what we did today. It was a well-managed race, difficult at the end with the used Mediums, but we did well in the management.” – Charles Leclerc concluded at the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest.
