In qualifying, at the fastest point, Sainz and Leclerc were outside the top 10 for top speeds, respectively 327,1 km/h and 327,0 km/h, against the first two places in the standings occupied by Perez and Verstappen, respectively 335,1 .334 km/h and XNUMX km/h.
I have reported these data to highlight a structure much more charged by Ferrari than all the other teams. During free practice, the Maranello team tried different configurations between Leclerc and Sainz, the former with the version of the car more charged than the latter. Changes to Sainz's car during practice included stiffer suspension settings. These changes were rejected by the Spanish. Another factor that complicated the Ferrari weekend in Jeddah is certainly Leclerc's and Sainz's accidents during the second free practice which did not allow Ferrari to test the race pace on Friday. They ran the simulation on Saturday in third free practice, but that session was of little significance as it took place during the afternoon, while the race took place in the evening.

These problems affected Ferrari's weekend, which tried to make the most of the strength of the F1-75, namely the aerodynamic load generated by the "sidepods", the front wing and the rear wing (very loaded). Surely this brought an advantage in the guided part, especially in the first sector, less in the second and third sector where they paid a lot. In qualifying, the gap between Ferrari and Red Bull in the second and third sectors wasn't that wide, also thanks to more extreme engine mappings, but in the race with lots of petrol and more conservative mappings of the hybrid part, the difference was noticeable. If they had had more time during free practice to simulate race pace, maybe they would have noticed this big gap with Red Bull in sector two and three and would have fixed it.

In summary, in qualifying the difference was minimal between the two single-seater contenders for the title, who gained at different points on the track, given the two opposing philosophies of the cars. In the race the difference was more evident. Ferrari could have won without the final virtual safety car, but before without the safety car, Leclerc would have struggled to overtake Perez. So we can say that such a loaded configuration for Ferrari was not ideal in the race when you have to overtake using Jeddah's three DRS zones. Unfortunately, if Ferrari chose to take such a loaded car onto the track, it was because it was the best solution at the time.
In conclusion, I want to congratulate Verstappen for the well-deserved victory, but above all Leclerc and Sainz who conquered a fundamental podium from a world perspective. I am very confident to see a Ferrari battling for victory at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia as well. The layout changes they've made work in Red Bull's favor, but the circuit itself remains in Ferrari's favor. One thing is certain, there will be no shortage of tussle.