"If I had to bet on which track, between Belgium and Hungary, we would be strong, I would have said the Hungaroring and I would have been wrong” – with these words Charles Leclerc after the race he took stock of the current situation at Ferrari. There red exits from Belgium as a second force, with an excellent performance from the Monegasque who gets on the podium for the third time of the season. Tire management e the rhythm on the pace set by the SF-23 allowed Leclerc to bring home a result which, on the eve, could be defined as quite surprising.
The F1 season described by Vasseur
In addition to focusing on the race, we should consider Ferrari's entire weekend which, as admitted by Vasseur, has proven to be competitive on all conditions. What was surprising, if desired, was the pace shown yesterday - which had to be considered "blindly" - with Ferrari keeping behind both the Mercedes, with Hamilton who never worried Leclerc, than Aston Martin. With a trend like this - in which you risk going from second to fourth strength on the track in seven days - to give a clear image of this season is Vasseur"In Belgium McLaren ran into trouble, while in Hungary it seemed to be the second force on the track. This year the season goes like this. The most important thing is to try to avoid overreactions: today we are not world champions and we were not bankrupt a week ago.".
Ferrari, in Belgium everything worked for Leclerc
The Spa-Francorchamps weekend undoubtedly sends Ferrari on holiday with a lightweight smile. The reason is linked to how the red car was able to adapt to the different track conditions. Sunday will always be exalted, mostly because this time the "all” – as Vasseur calls him – it worked. The car went, ditto Leclerc who had excellent management of the tyres, as well as the wall and the pit stops. The choice to respond to Hamilton's undercut in the second part of the race – with a very fast pit – it was the key that allowed number #16 to finally return to the podium. After all, Formula 1 has always been a team sport and Ferrari has shown that with all the components in place, it can easily have its say (obviously excluding Verstappen).
Now we need analysis
It is therefore right to remain calm and analyze. Now comes a three-week break, but it will be essential to try to understand what the weak points of a car are fails consistently to be behind Red Bull. Attention and above all work will be needed because, after Belgium, Ferrari goes on holiday as the second force on the track - but it is not certain that this value will be the same in the next round in Holland.
