It would take a miracle. Charles Leclerc didn’t mince words when talking about tomorrow’s race in Zandvoort, the venue for the Dutch Grand Prix. Ferrari, which didn’t bring any updates for the SF-24s to Max Verstappen’s homeland, resumed the season just where it left off before the summer break: as the fourth-best team.
The Monte Carlo native posted a sixth time which, considering the current struggles of the Scuderia, isn’t too bad. But what stings the most is the 9-tenths gap to the McLaren cars.
“We couldn’t have done more,” Charles Leclerc said to Sky Sport after the Qualifying session for the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. “I had a good lap in Q3, but there are days when it just doesn’t pay off. Today, I’m sixth, and it’s not something that brings a smile. As a team, we’re struggling. We’re working hard. Unfortunately, it’s been a few races now that when I come to the microphones, I keep saying we’re working to close the gap, but today this is the situation.”
“I gave it my all, and as a team, we’re aware of the situation we’re in. We’re working hard on the new components we can soon install on the car, and I hope they can bring us closer to those in front because today we’re 9 tenths behind the best, and 9 tenths is a lot.”
The updates, Charles Leclerc said, will arrive soon and could help the SF-24 cars improve their performance. But what remains to be seen, and it’s no small detail, is how much of a difference they will make and whether Ferrari can return to fighting for top positions, leaving behind the uncomfortable role of being the fourth-best team in the Championship.
“I hope that the new components arriving will help us take a step forward. How big that step will be, only time will tell. Today, once again, we’re 9 tenths behind, which is really a lot on such a short track where our lap time is 1:10. How much it will help us to fight for victory, I don’t know.”
Charles Leclerc also pointed out how Zandvoort, since its return to the calendar, has been a track where Ferrari has visibly struggled.
“I have to say, though, that this track doesn’t suit our car’s characteristics well. There are long corners where we struggle. But yes, we have to wait. Tomorrow, we’ll have to fight to bring home as many points as we can. That’s the only possible goal until the new updates arrive that might help us move forward.” – the Monegasque driver added.
In short, aiming for the podium seems like a distant dream, and it would take some sort of miracle. But with the battle brewing between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and George Russell in the front positions, never say never.
“A podium tomorrow would be a miracle, especially on a track like this. Our pace wasn’t bad, but on this track, it’s hard to overtake. Then again, never say never—tomorrow, I’ll put on my helmet and try to give it my all,” concluded the Ferrari driver.
