In the weekend Japanese Ferrari was behind Red Bull and McLaren. But despite the Red car not being able to get on the podium at Suzuka, important and encouraging data have emerged on the behavior of the SF-23, especially on the degradation front. Both Charles Leclerc that Carlos Sainz brought a new fund to the track in Japan, which returned positive data. However, Sainz remains rather realistic about the possibilities of obtaining a good result in the next stages too. Ferrari has made some progress but must think about maximizing its potential, which means having to fight for the best possible position. Whether it's a podium or whether it's sixth or fifth position. According to Sainz, definitive judgments cannot yet be made, but the Spaniard is aware that the team will have to work hard to overcome the difficulties that this race could present. A race that also includes a more complex format, and with only one free probe session, namely that of the Sprint.
Optimism and determination for the challenge in Qatar
Carlos Sainz is preparing to challenge the unknowns of Losail, confident in Ferrari's ability to overcome the difficulties and obtain a positive result in the Qatar Grand Prix. However, in Qatar there will be challenges and variables awaiting the Ferrari duo and the other drivers. In particular the curbs, already criticized in the first edition, and the heat. Another unknown is linked to the re-asphalting of the track and the fact that there will be no racing here since 2021. The new generation single-seaters have never raced there and much of the work will have to be done in the only 60 minutes of free practice allowed.
“Could curbs be a problem? It depends on many factors. From track limits, but we must take into account that we drive very wide cars, we have little visibility. I think here we will have to talk more than usual about track limits rather than destructive curbs." I think this will be a race, an extreme case, I hope it won't be repeated in the future – said Sainz before the race weekend. Obviously the organizers have scheduled the race on the best possible days, but I have always suffered from the heat and this will certainly not be a comfortable race from that point of view, not at all. I'm not worried though, because it was very hot in Singapore but I did well anyway."
“In addition to the heat there are also other important things such as new asphalt. In recent days I have been able to see that it is very dirty, no one has lapped on it since 2021. It is a sort of unknown track and it will be important to work very well in Free Practice 1. There will be so many challenges to face this weekend. I think the last few races represent a good challenge for us to get second place in the Constructors' World Championship. A goal that can give motivation and intensity. Even if this is not what we at Ferrari dream of fighting for. "
Leclerc's words
Ferrari has always performed well in the Sprint weekends as if the team was better off working with less time available. Collecting double points here is important especially from a constructors' perspective where second place is at stake. This, according to both Sainz and Leclerc, is the main objective of the weekend. The Monegasque only reached the podium three times in what amounted to one inconstant season, but all three podiums for Charles Leclerc they arrived during Sprint weekends.
With three Sprint weekends remaining Charles hopes to continue the positive streak. Leclerc currently sits 15 points behind his teammate Carlos Sainz in the drivers' championship, and the team is chasing the Mercedes in the constructors' championship. Commenting on his return to Qatar, the Monegasque also spoke about his former rival, Max Verstappen, who could grab his third consecutive world title this weekend. Charles hopes to be able to get closer again and to be able to fight with Max again for something more important.
"He's very good. We have competed together since our karting days. Now it's only a matter of time to get his third title, but he fully deserves it because he once again had an incredible season. He has been very consistent in any conditions and on any track, so he definitely deserves it. As for us, we now have to aim for second place in the constructors' championship. That's our goal.”
