Illusion shattered
After a positive but illusory first free practice session at 5.419-kilometre Lusail International Circuit, Scuderia Ferrari was brought back to reality by the Sprint Qualifying in Qatar. The expected performance from the previous days was confirmed on track, with the McLaren cars ahead – Lando Norris in pole and Oscar Piastri third – and the Ferraris struggling in the second and third rows. By a few thousandths of a second, Carlos Sainz beat Charles Leclerc, but this time the Monaco driver’s focus wasn’t on the internal rivalry, but rather on the risk of losing crucial points in the Constructors’ Championship to the Woking team.
Crucial weekend
“I’m not happy,” Charles Leclerc commented to Sky Sport F1, not hiding his disappointment. “Because when you give everything and end up only fourth and fifth, it’s not great, considering how important this weekend is for us. I don’t know why the free practice session went well beyond our expectations, while in qualifying we were in line with the predictions, so we’re back with our feet on the ground.” – the Monegasque driver pointed out at the end of the Qatar GP Sprint Qualifying.
“After the free practices, we had some hope of doing better,” Charles Leclerc continued, “but we didn’t manage it. If we look at the free practice, we think we could be fighting for the win, but if we look at qualifying, no. For now, the most representative session is qualifying, so we’re not in the best position, but you never know. Every time, the race is always different,” the Monaco driver concluded.
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