Ferrari and Brembo to investigate Charles Leclerc's brake issue in Bahrain

Ferrari and Brembo to investigate Charles Leclerc’s brake issue in Bahrain. The issue will be the subject of investigation by both Ferrari and brake supplier Brembo.

Charles Leclerc tamed an unpredictable SF-24

One year ago, Charles Leclerc left Bahrain with zero points and a 10-place grid penalty to serve at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. In a single race weekend, both control units allowed by regulations for the entire Formula 1 season had failed. Comparing this to 2024 makes the 12 points from the fourth-place finish a significant improvement. Although he won’t face a compromised start next weekend (Charles Leclerc was second in Qualifying, close to Sergio Perez, with Max Verstappen out in Q2 due to a driveshaft failure), the Monegasque remains deeply disappointed for not being able to contend for a second place that seemed well within reach for the Ferrari driver.

Charles Leclerc had to grapple with a considerable temperature difference between the two front brake discs (radio communications even mentioned a gap of 100 degrees). During significant braking, he couldn’t predict the car’s behavior, as it tended to ‘drift’ rather than respond to Charles Leclerc’s commands due to this issue. Numerous lock-ups in Turn 10 were the most evident manifestation of this problem. The Monegasque driver had to settle for the fourth-place finish behind his teammate Carlos Sainz. Leclerc’s regret is not having been able to fully explore the available potential. Without the brake issue on SF-24 #16, Ferrari could have avoided the Red Bull double.

According to today’s edition of the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, what happened to Charles Leclerc in the Bahrain Grand Prix is a problem that had never surfaced before and will be the subject of investigation by both Ferrari and the brake supplier Brembo. The air intake of the left front brake was replaced on Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari before the Bahrain Grand Prix. During the race, the Ferrari pit wall attempted to suggest commands to the Monegasque through the steering wheel to resolve the issue, but without success.” – Corriere dello Sport informs following the Bahrain Grand Prix.