A few weeks ago, Frederic Vasseur had pointed out Budapest and Singapore as circuits where Ferrari could perform well, and fans and experts hoped to see Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz competitive in this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. However, the reality, evidently different from the simulators, presented a significantly negative outcome for the Red Team at the Hungaroring, as the sixth position obtained by Charles Leclerc and the eleventh by Carlos Sainz don’t allow dreams of glory for the Sunday race. The two Ferraris will start behind the Alfa Romeo of Guanyu Zhou – in fifth place – and also behind the two McLarens – who monopolized the second row – which are starting to become a concern even in the constructors’ standings (despite the 98-point advantage).
The red disappointment in the newspapers
Massimo Calandri in La Repubblica dedicated the closing of the article to the Red Team: “In the show, Ferrari risks having a supporting role, as it had great hopes but didn’t go beyond Charles Leclerc’s 6th time. Carlos Sainz even missed Q3 (11th), burned by two milliseconds by Alonso and forced into the sixth row. A story that repeats with alarming frequency, pushing towards future changes.”
Stefano Mancini in La Stampa explained: “Ferrari confirms the structural limitations of the project: it doesn’t seem capable of going any further. Charles Leclerc will start from the sixth position, surrounded by Alfa Romeo’s Zhou and Bottas, while Carlos Sainz is 11th on a circuit where overtaking is rare. In the pre-race chat, the Hungaroring was considered a favorable track for the Reds, but it didn’t turn out that way. And now even McLaren is an opponent for the constructors’ classification.”
Quite harsh, Leo Turrini in Quotidiano Sportivo: “And now I step out of the fabulous dimension to deal with Ferrari’s misery. Before the Hungarian trip, the nice Fred Vasseur had said that the twisty Hungarian track suited the SF23’s characteristics. Words wasted, the verdict of the track was catastrophic. Carlos Sainz didn’t even make it to the top 10. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc was overtaken […] even by the Alfa Sauber of the Chinese Zhou. You read that right: the car with the Snake’s logo, usually confined to the rear, is ahead of Ferrari. And keep in mind that the Chinese’s car has the power unit from Maranello. A customer beating the supplier. In short, a disaster without ifs and buts. Leclerc and Sainz are down in the dumps. As they say in jokes (and there’s nothing to laugh about here): having hit rock bottom, we started digging.”
Even Fulvio Solms in Corriere dello Sport was not merciful: “Ferrari, bitter awakening. ‘McLaren runs away’ – ‘And nothing: the wind of Fantozzi doesn’t let go of Ferrari and continues to blow on the Reds, making them unbalanced. The taste of this qualifying is even more bitter due to the optimism that, although without the boasting of a year ago – announced double and not even a podium – had convinced the Reds that a pole was possible and a front row likely. The worst part is that Charles Leclerc is squeezed in a sandwich of non-excellent quality, with the Chinese Zhou in front and Bottas behind. So, it must mean something, thus Maranello fails to put together a good meal, even if it has good ingredients, like the engine.”
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