After a weekend like this, only one thing can be said at Ferrari: calm. The same one that was needed for Maranello - clearly combined with work - to be able to see signs of recovery. In Canada Leclerc and Sainz, who started tenth and eleventh respectively, I conclude in fourth and fifth place, in a result that smacks of team unity.
The promising start
Il free practice Friday had highlighted it: Ferrari – on a track like that of Canada – had the step to be able to compete with Aston Martin and Mercedes in the race. As admitted by Vasseur, the idea that they were only free did not allow us to be able to state with certainty that Ferrari would return. In fact, it arrived on Saturday a cold shower, with the Maranello team having failed in the match with the only certain weapon of every weekend, namely qualifying. The very particular conditions - with the rain that was heavily in the vicinity and arrived at the end of Q3 - prevented Leclerc from reaching Q3 and Sainz from going beyond eighth position. To conclude the day to forget on Saturday, were the three penalty positions given to Sainz for preventing Gasly.
Canadian GP: Ferrari, everything worked in the race
With a Saturday like this, the Sunday race, with the premises of Friday, proved to be the best opportunity for redemption. No sooner said than done. In Montreal everything worked: car, drivers and team. And in the end results can only be achieved in this way. The SF-23 proved to have excellent pace. “In the last 20 laps we had the same pace as Alonso and Hamilton" - has admitted Vasseur post-race. If Ferrari had the opportunity to finish the race on a stop, it was also thanks to a car that allowed both drivers to perform more of half the race with the medium tyre. The track factor undoubtedly has an influence, but the good performance of the red it is undeniable.
Solidity also from the drivers
It was an excellent performance from the drivers too. Sainz and Leclerc had made a couple of mistakes on Saturday which cost them dearly. In fact, Sainz paid handsomely for preventing Gasly, which cost him three penalty positions; Leclerc on the other hand – in the only attempt he had available with slick tires – it's long gone, missing access to Q3. In the race however, there is no error worth commenting on. Both did their race, keeping pace with their rivals and sparking a little hope in all Ferrari fans.
The perfect strategy
There is one last element, not clearly in importance, which allowed Ferrari to return from Canada undoubtedly with more tranquility than in the other races: and it is the team itself. The choice of "Leave them outside to run with clean air” – as stated by Vasseur, was the key. None of the top teams, specifically Aston Martin, Mercedes and Red Bull, he finished the GP with just one stop. Who had to do it, precisely to be able to recover positions, was Ferrari who was rightly rewarded.
Now calm down
It is clearly still early. A good performance in Canada should not make anyone forget the difficulties encountered in the first races. From Montreal though a foundation has been laid and the information found – particularly on Sunday – is what Maranello was looking for. Now, however, getting excited is of no use: in the GES they will continue to work and bring news about an SF-23 that may have finally found its way.
