Charles Leclerc’s usual approach after a race weekend has gone out the window following the Dutch Grand Prix’s completion. For the Monegasque, Ferrari can’t afford any more weekends like that.
Ferrari’s post-summer break return was not the strongest. When the Scuderia arrived at Zandvoort, they appeared to be nowhere with Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupying low-tier P14 and P15 places after the first practice session.
Although for FP2 the outlook of the Maranello-based squad managed to improve with the British and the Monegasque drivers moving up to P6 and P8 respectively, it was still not up to what Leclerc believes the standards should be for Ferrari.
Speaking after the race, the Monegasque was firm in his approach to write the weekend off entirely as 'disappointing' in light of the Scuderia’s weekend-long struggles, in statements to media including GPblog.
Ferrari ‘can’t afford to have any other Friday like that’
“We can see positives in every situation but I’d rather look at it as a very, very disappointing weekend.
“We’ve been struggling from FP1 to Qualy,” Leclerc added.
On Saturday, during the morning’s Practice 3, while Leclerc improved to P6, Hamilton tumbled down the order to P14. That afternoon qualifying didn’t fare any better as both Ferraris qualified P6 and P7, with the only highlight being Hamilton’s ability to keep up with the Monegasque’s pace.
During the race, the Monegasque chased down Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar, and found himself unable to get past.
Although Leclerc saw the upward trend during Sunday’s race, he argues that Fridays such as the one the team experienced at the Dutch Grand Prix put the team on the back foot for the entire weekend - something Ferrari doesn’t have the luxury of.
“In the race it’s been better but especially after the holidays to have a Friday like we’ve had…
“We cannot afford to have any other Friday like that because that definitely has an influence on the rest of the weekend,” Leclerc concluded.
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