As in 2020, Charles Leclerc finished the Turkish Grand Prix in fourth place. The impressions of this result, however, are totally different. Yesterday, in fact, the Ferrari driver finished just outside the podium after trying to win a race in which despite a low downforce set-up and, therefore, not ideal for wet conditions, he managed to stay close to the exhausts of Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen up to when the two rivals stopped in the pits to change tires and use new intermediates. At that point, Ferrari had two options: to do the same and secure the podium, or to try to finish the race without stopping in pursuit of victory. The Maranello team and Charles Leclerc chose the second option, stopping after losing the lead of the race and finishing in fourth position. One year ago the Monegasque lost third place by exaggerating in an attempt to finish in second position, but what changes compared to 2020 are the prospects. Since Ferrari introduced the upgraded power unit in the hybrid system Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz can attack.
“This year we have never seen a Ferrari that is able to keep up with Mercedes and Red Bull, managing to replicate every change of pace for 37 laps – we read in today’s edition of Il Corriere della Sera – more than the lost podium, for Ferrari what matters is the concrete feeling that has emerged both in qualifying as in the race. In short, what counts is being in a position to think big and look ahead with the conviction of being able to take on a really important challenge “. “If Ferrari has lost a podium in Turkey, it has found itself again: a team that is no longer forbidden to think of winning. The choice to try with Charles Leclerc did not pay off, but it is the sign of a renewed spirit. No longer in defense, but in attack. Also thanks to a new engine, in the hybrid part, which is giving positive feedback. But that’s not all: the Scuderia thinks big ”, the comment instead on the pages of La Repubblica.
Charles Leclerc for the fifth time this season finished in fourth place, but this time for Ferrari it was not a place to celebrate as Italian daily newspaper La Stampa points out: “There is a novelty, a clear change in the relationship between results and expectations: what so far it was considered a good result, now it is a cause for disappointment”. A change of mentality and perspectives necessary to return to fighting for a leading role in F1 starting next season when the sport will change due to the new technical regulations.
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