A Singapore Ferrari regained the victory to everyone's surprise, including Red Bull, but to demonstrate that it was not an isolated case the SF-23 will also have to prove agile and fast on the Suzuka track. A condition that according to Charles Leclerc Ferrari could replicate, also given the responses given by the first day of free practice on the Japanese track, where the Ferrari brought a updating with the new fund. The team used the two sessions to test different set-ups in view of tomorrow's qualifying. Let's see Charles Leclerc's sensations with his statements after Friday at Suzuka.
Leclerc's statements at Suzuka give rise to hope
The positive Friday for Ferrari in Suzuka bodes well even if Leclerc was in front this time. Sainz, in the new fund instead closed the day with FP2, fourth behind Norris, suffering greater degradation. Overall, the race pace is not very different from that of Red Bull, which however proved to be quite in good shape on the flying lap. The two Ferrari drivers chased Max Verstappen, far from the podium in Singapore. However, one question mark for the race concerns tire degradation. But the team is satisfied with the initial feedback from the SF-23 and hopes to be able to find a set-up that makes driving easier for both Charles and Carlos.
“It seems that we are closer than expected to our rivals, so I consider this day quite positive. - says Leclerc in his statements on Friday at Suzuka. We tried different solutions on my car to get a little better sensations in terms of comfort, and I am satisfied with the results. We must confirm ourselves at these levels tomorrow too"
The Monegasque suffered his return from the summer break, finishing behind his teammate both in Monza and Singapore due to a not entirely positive feeling with the SF-23. The two drivers have different driving styles and Charles had to adapt by finding compromises on the set-up that did not satisfy him. But the quality of a rider also lies in improving starting from difficulties and the challenge with Carlos can only encourage him.
Source statements: Julian Duchess
