The 2024 started off pretty well for her Ferrariby Carlos Sainz to conquer it podium at the first race of the season in Bahrain and the Charles Leclerc to do the same one week later in Saudi Arabia.
THE Monegasque started both matches from second placebehind him pole sitter, Max Verstappenand beyond the problem he faced in the first one with his brakes, there was no other serious issue. Given that his best result in his first three races 2023 she was seventh place at Saudi Arabiasince gave up in the Bahrain and Australiathis is a significant improvement.
Speaking to the media after the Saudi Arabian GPThe Leclerc emphasized that he considers that they have been done important steps in the right direction, despite the fact that he finished more than 18 sec behind Verstappen.
“It was a positive match. I think we're taking small steps in the right direction,” said the Leclerc. “If I look back over the last six, seven months, we are the team that has improved the most and we are slowly closing the gap.
“The distance is still quite long, but if we keep working like this, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we put a bit more pressure on Red Bull.”
He also clarified that the Ferrari will play one long term “game,” since it is not expected to bring major upgrades to Australian GP.
“I don't think we're going to have a lot of new places in Melbourne, so without them, I think we're doing a good job making the most of our package at the moment. So there we are,” warned.
“We'll probably have to wait and see when we have new parts on the car, how big a step forward we'll make. And I hope that this will bring us closer to Red Bull.”
Later, he was asked by the Sky Sports F1 about where the improvement comes from and how the team intends to cover the -admittedly- Big difference of the champion and pioneer of the constructors' championship, Red Bull:
“Three or four tenths is a lot, in the world of motorsport. However, if you look at every part of the car, if you gain 0.010 sec per part, then straight away you have a big profit.
“In the last few months, we are the team that has improved the most because we are working really well and we just have to keep doing that, it's very clear what areas we need to work on.
“I'm sure our moment will come. I don't know what tricks Red Bull have up their sleeve in terms of upgrades, but that will determine exactly when we can get to them.”
READ ALSO:
Vettel's message to 18-year-old Bearman ahead of his F1 debut
Helmut Marko: “I'm not going to leave Red Bull”
Saudi GP: Why Norris didn't get a start penalty