Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc admits that the Maranello team’s Formula 1 engine improvement as compared to 2020, including the recent hybrid upgrade first introduced at Sochi Autodrom a few weeks ago, means he no longer feels “powerless” in battles on track against Mercedes-powered cars.
The hybrid gains in particular are very important taking into consideration the significance the energy management has when up against another car in race conditions. The recent upgrades appear to have given the Italian side a small, yet significant power boost and pace performance advantage in Ferrari’s fight against McLaren for third place in the 2021 Formula 1 Constructor Standings with five races until the end of the season, as the Maranello team still has to recover a 3.5-point deficit.
All in all, Scuderia Ferrari’s form in the 2021 Formula One championship is vastly improved as compared to last season, yet despite some strong qualifying showings – notably Charles Leclerc’s pole positions on the streets of Monte Carlo and Baku, it is in race trim that this has been most obvious.
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“Last year, not only was the engine a problem but also the whole package. We had a very draggy car, which was even worse for the straights. So all in all, it was just extremely difficult and I felt powerless in some races because we just couldn’t do anything as drivers to try and pick up positions. So it is definitely a big step forward in terms of fighting in the race from last year to this year. It’s been a big change.” – the Monegasque driver explained.
The recent hybrid upgrade is the latest step in this improvement, and has been described by the Maranello team as a major factor in Ferrari’s attempt to get back on top next season by being able to make another big power unit. The benefits of this upgrade, which includes a switch from a 400V to 800V energy store, are best felt when in battle with other cars thanks to the complex energy management demands that places on the power units.
“It is very difficult, because it’s very slight changes. Every time we put on a new package, we are speaking about hundredths every corner. So it is very, very difficult to quantify that in the feeling. But yes, you can feel it a little bit, especially while battling in the race where you need to use your energy and then see how much it recovers, etc. So you feel it a little bit in certain situations. But it’s not like it’s completely obvious as soon as I got into the car and did the first lap.” – Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc concluded.
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