Charles Leclerc’s recent disappointment in the Monaco GP qualifying was palpable as he missed out on the coveted pole position, with McLaren’s Lando Norris edging him out at the last moment.
Leclerc’s hometown GP saw him narrowly lose the pole to Norris, setting a new lap record around Monte Carlo. Despite topping all three practice sessions, Ferrari’s self-assessment before the race weekend turned out to be quite off the mark. Ferrari’s predicted challenges on the slow-speed track weren’t as severe as anticipated, as evidenced by Leclerc’s strong performance.
“No. I’m not satisfied,” Leclerc candidly shared after qualifying, highlighting the unexpected nature of Ferrari’s form and the need to investigate the reasons behind their surprising speed. He acknowledged the team’s initial concerns about difficulty, given their past struggles in low-speed corners, yet they found the setup worked well in Monaco. As Leclerc put it, Ferrari had yet to understand why the slow-speed performance suddenly improved compared to tracks like Miami, which posed significant challenges in similar conditions.
Asked about the upcoming race, Leclerc anticipated potential chaos due to the FIA-mandated two-stop strategy for the first time in Monaco GP history. This could add an element of unpredictability, possibly leading to pressure from unexpected competitors. Leclerc was optimistic about dealing with the strategic challenges but recognized that the unique conditions in Monaco might not translate well to other circuits.
Charles Leclerc’s sentiments echo a larger story of a team caught off guard by its own capabilities. As Ferrari and Leclerc look to the future, understanding the dynamics that played out in Monaco could be vital in converting unexpected gains into consistent performance across different circuits.
