Here is the first post-qualifying of the season! Second, however, is Charles Leclerc, pilot Ferrari, following a small mistake on his part during the Bahrain GP weekend. His words…
I'm a little disappointed
Charles Leclerc, second post. Excellent qualifications, but not enough for pole. Still a good front row. – thus begins the interview with Leclerc following qualifying for the 2024 Bahrain GP.
Yes, I'm a little disappointed. We did some good qualifying, it's been a complicated weekend so far. We looked for several things in free practice, and then I found the ideal condition in qualifying. Q1 was a little more complicated: unfortunately we had to put a new set of softs which compromised Q3 a bit, but they were good qualifying. It's a good start of the year, we are in a better situation than last year and that is positive. Now we have to see the race pace tomorrow.
A couple of tenths today between you and Max, who is ahead of you. By examining the data, could we find the reason? Because you seemed close until the last attempt.
Yup, – the interview with Leclerc continues – in Q2 I think I did a better lap than I did in Q3 in terms of time. We lost a bit of pace with the used set of C3 in Q3 and then I had to readjust to the new tire and I lost a little bit there, but overall it's a positive qualifying.
What does Leclerc expect from the start of the 2024 Bahrain GP?
You're very used to starting next to Max by now. You had many good qualifying sessions: what do you expect from the start in the race, which wasn't your strong point last year? Do you have confidence that you can fight with him? – is the last question of the interview with Leclerc after qualifying for the 2024 Bahrain GP.
I am confident that we have made a step forward, but we have to wait and see tomorrow how big this step forward is. However, we think that Red Bull is still ahead with a good margin, at least in the race, but we'll see. If there are opportunities, obviously I will attack and then we'll see how it goes tomorrow.
