Ferrari has definitely had better moments since the beginning of the season. From the double in Bahrain, to the landslide victory a Melbourne. The F1-75 proves to be a car capable of reacting well on any type of track. The performance gap with the Red Bull has gradually shrunk since the time the team of Milton Keynes, began to introduce updates important. This has brought the RB18 to a really high level of competitiveness. From ImolaIndeed, Ferrari began to suffer from the lack of updates, which were then introduced a Barcelona.
An unexpected problem
The dreams and hopes of Charles and Ferrari were suddenly interrupted by the loss of power which caused the withdrawal of the Monegasque driver, who led the group until lap 26. Further worrying the team was also the problem with the Power Unit – with Ferrari license plate – encountered on the Alfa Romeo car number 24, of Guanyu-Zhou.
The Chinese rookie during the press conference that opens the race weekend in Monaco – for the first time compliant with the program of the other GPs – he declared: “A Barcelona the reliability issues concerned the cooling down, that's why we had to withdraw, to save the engine. However, Spain's problems were not the same as Miami's, which had already been resolved.
Alfa Romeo he's having an excellent season, especially with Valtteri Bottas, always close to the top 5. In Monaco, the team's expectations are high, given the correspondence of positive data with the third sector in Barcelona, more or less indicative of a match with Monaco.
“I think we have another good opportunity this weekend “- said Valtteri Bottas at the press conference. “We don't know exactly what to expect, but we should go better than in Barcelona. The strength of our car is the slow corners.”
There is trust in the Ferrari house
The problems encountered in the Power Unit of the Monegasque Ferrari driver came later analyzed. "The team understood what the problem was in Barcelona and I'm confident“. – said Charles at the press conference. All this confidence is also due to the goodness of the F1-75 and the innovations introduced in Barcelona in which, engine aside, the car responded really well.
"I think that we have been competitive at every track this year, we have a good package. Our strong point on Red Bullsare the slow curves. – says Charles, who brings up the wonderful occasion Part 2021 in the streets of the Principality, wasted due to one mistake too many by the Monegasque. After taking pole position on Saturday, Charles stamped his SF21 on the guard rail, which prevented him from starting on Sunday. “In 2021 with a non-competitive car we were in front here (Monaco). But here I also expect surprises and it could be an exciting weekend. We hope to go strong”.
The retreat in Barcelona, which cost Charles the championship leadership, still burns. However, he and the team are confident for the appointment, "at home" of the young driver, who, right in Monaco, will have all the support of his fans, family and friends. "I hope I can take advantage of the field factor and finally be able to finish a race here. Monaco is where I grew up and seeing the city slowly evolve as the Grand Prix arrives is special. This weekend there will be my family and friends here to watch the race from the balconies” concluded Charles.
The words of the competitors
Monaco, with its particular conformation is one anomalous track in the calendar. It can therefore be a relative piece to talk about forces in the field. However, being a slow and winding circuit, which favors those with good traction, it may be more in the favor of those who, first of all, manage the car better in these conditions, i.e. Ferrari.
Sergio Perez, back from a one-two, and from a rather heated confrontation with the team – after the team order to let Max advance, he sees Ferrari very competitive in Monaco, where, however, it is not only necessary to have a good car, but above all the right feeling with the car.
“We expect that the Ferraris will be very strong here. They are fast in the slow and they already did well last year" Perez said – “It's a track full of challenges, you know you've hit the target only when you cross the finish line. Here every mistake can be decisive. You have to be precise and this feeling must be built from free practice and qualifying is important."
The Max Verstappen he loses his balance, even if more focused on his own potential, and on that of the team, which had several problems in Barcelona – one of which was the malfunction of the DRS. "We will use the same wing, but I hope the problem is solved. The DRS here is not so important, but I hope that the problem is really overcome” Max said in the press conference – “Here we will have to try to make the most of the points. We need performance on the flying lap and so far it has been a bit complicated for us in qualifying. This circuit should suit Ferrari, we will have to find a good balance.”
