Leclerc Mixed Feelings Despite Strong Singapore GP

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz grapple with mixed outcomes at the Singapore Grand Prix, as qualifying mishaps and race challenges hinder Ferrari’s push in the championship battle.

Charles Leclerc was not entirely satisfied with his fifth-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver harbours significant regrets about his qualifying session, particularly his final lap in Q3 which dramatically altered his weekend.

“I have mixed feelings because I am pleased with my race, having lost time behind Hülkenberg and Alonso in the first stint. We had a strong second stint but it wasn’t enough to make up ground,” Leclerc told Canal+.

“I’m a bit disappointed about yesterday. Looking at the data, the tyres were a factor, but it was also me locking up at the first corner. That put us in a much tougher position to climb back, but we maximised the result. Sometimes, it all comes down to that lap in Q3, but we can be proud of today’s performance.”

The Monegasque acknowledges that he had to push his tyres too hard to catch up to Russell: “We were very fast, but to get back to George, I had to really work the tyres. When I caught up, it made a difference in traction.”

“I was losing downforce behind him and my rear tyres were gone. We were faster because I could get the car to turn, but it was pointless. If I had to do the race over, I wouldn’t change anything because that’s what allowed us to catch up to George.”

Fatigue sets in “after the race”

When asked by F1 TV about the physical demands of such a race, Leclerc explained that the real challenge comes after crossing the finish line: “It’s tough and very hot, but when you’re driving, you don’t feel it. You’re not really tired, you’re not too hot.”

“Mid-race, you think it’s going to be tough and the race is long, but you manage. The worst is when you cool down after the race, when you get out of the car and the tension eases. You always think you’re going to faint! So it’s quite tough because it’s just the lack of water that’s hard to manage.”

Ferrari fell three points behind Red Bull this Sunday, yet the team still harbours hopes of contending for the title, even if Leclerc himself is somewhat sceptical: “We are in pursuit, but with a sniper rifle, we are very far, perhaps too far! We must work hard.”

“I feel we shouldn’t get carried away; we’re coming off three circuits that suited us, and now McLaren and Red Bull will return to their strong pace, so it will be tough to chase down the championship, but we’ll be there if an opportunity arises.”

Carlos Sainz’s ‘day was not to be’

Carlos Sainz climbed from tenth to seventh place, pitting very early but facing a challenging end to the race: “We gambled on the edge with this strategy of an early undercut, which ultimately slowed me down, but if we wanted to get ahead of the midfield, it was necessary.”

“In the end, we secured that seventh place, which was where predictions had us. Williams almost cost me the race at turn 1 because I didn’t start badly, but I think Franco (Colapinto) braked too late and nearly cost us two or three positions.”

“These are the risks you take when you’re a rookie, but fortunately, nothing happened. However, when you’re contesting the constructors’ title and there are many points at stake, you need to be careful about who you’re racing against.”

Ultimately, Sainz did his best starting from the fifth row, but he laments a race that was too smooth: “Finishing in the points was the goal, a weekend to limit the damage. Unlucky not to have a Safety Car at the end to attempt an attack with a set of soft tyres, but it wasn’t our weekend.”

“At least there were some good overtakes on my part, and I am positive about the race pace while qualifying has been the weak point of our new front wing. We will have to wait and see its performance in Austin.”