Ferrari’s expectations for the penultimate race in Losail are not high. In Qatar, Ferrari anticipates a challenging weekend, but Charles Leclerc is determined not to give up and is betting on a factor that could shake things up.
The spotlight is on the Qatar Grand Prix, the second-to-last race of the 2024 F1 season. The battle between the current Constructors’ Championship leader, McLaren, and the Ferrari challengers continues at the Losail circuit. Predictions do not favor the SF-24 as the “car to beat” on the Qatari track. In fact, among the top teams, the forecasts suggest a Ferrari struggling on a layout that doesn’t highlight the strengths of the 2024 car.
However, giving up is the last thing on Ferrari drivers’ minds, especially for Charles Leclerc, who spoke during the usual Thursday press conference. The Monegasque driver shared the team’s feelings: “I believe this could be a somewhat more difficult weekend for us,” he admitted.
Ferrari, Charles Leclerc praises the Sprint format in Qatar
Charles Leclerc remains undeterred and thinks positively: “It will also be a Sprint weekend,” he reminded the media. As scheduled, the weekend will feature only one practice session: “If we manage to get things right from the very first laps and if the car is in the right condition from the first lap of FP1, then that could make a big difference.”
“It could be a more impactful factor than any other characteristic we see or expect,” Charles Leclerc explained. “On paper, it doesn’t seem like this will be the best circuit for us, but things could still turn in our favor.”
Ferrari is considered an underdog by both experts and Ferrari fans: “But we are extremely motivated. We want to prove that we are wrong about the expectations for this Grand Prix.” – the Monegasque driver concluded.
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