Starting from the pitlane in Barcelona following a 19th place qualifying finish, Leclerc was only able to maneuver his SF-23 to an 11th place finish. The car’s performance remained erratic throughout various stints, even on the same tire compound.
His teammate Carlos Sainz also faced challenges, dropping from a promising second place on the starting grid to a fifth-place finish.
“In our first stint, we were on the hard tires, which we anticipated to perform well. However, they were incredibly poor for some unknown reason,” Leclerc explained.
“Strangely, there was no grip at all, especially from the front. The constraints were vastly different from the qualifying round, which was more of what we expected today.
“On the second hard tire stint, despite doing exactly the same thing, the car felt significantly better. We seem to struggle to consistently hit the tire’s optimal performance window, and when we do, it comes as a surprise. Clearly, there’s a lot of work ahead of us.
“The primary area we should concentrate on is being at the optimal performance of our tires more frequently and managing them more effectively.
“A small shift of two or three degrees can drastically alter the balance, and we’ve been grappling with finding that sweet spot. So, this will be a key focus area for us,” said Leclerc, piloting the Ferrari SF-23.
Photo by: Zak Mauger / F1 Flow Images
Leclerc maintained that his approach remained the same in both stints, explaining, “We handled both tire sets in exactly the same manner.
“I plan to discuss with the team the differences we may be overlooking between the two tire sets. It’s an arduous task, especially considering the car’s sensitivity to wind changes.”
The inconsistencies in the car’s performance on tires make it harder to manage races, Leclerc explained. He detailed, “It’s not as simple as having understeer and declaring it an understeery car. I experience understeer on one set and then oversteer on the same hard tires.
“It’s these inconsistencies that make it so challenging to improve, especially when your approach remains the same for both sets.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ferrari Tire Performance
Why did Charles Leclerc start from the pitlane in Barcelona?
Leclerc started from the pitlane in Barcelona because he only managed to qualify in 19th place. As a result, the team decided to make some adjustments to his car before the race.
What was the main issue Leclerc and his team faced during the race?
The main issue they faced was related to tire performance. Leclerc’s Ferrari SF-23 demonstrated inconsistent performance even when using the same tire compound. This inconsistency, especially between different stints, posed significant challenges in the race.
What did Leclerc suggest as a way forward for the team?
Leclerc suggested that the team should focus on understanding and achieving the peak performance of their tires more often. They should also work on managing the tires better, given that small changes can have significant impacts on the car’s balance.
What did Leclerc say about the car’s sensitivity to wind changes?
Leclerc noted that slight changes in wind conditions resulted in significant changes to the car’s performance. This factor added to the challenges of managing the car’s performance during the race.
How did Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate, perform in the race?
Carlos Sainz, like Leclerc, also had a challenging race. He started second on the grid but slipped to a fifth-place finish by the end of the race.
More about Ferrari Tire Performance
- Charles Leclerc’s Racing Profile
- Ferrari’s Official F1 Team Page
- Explanation of F1 Tire Strategy
- Details about the Barcelona Circuit
- Formula 1 Official Site
18 comments
Man, sounds like they’ve got a real mess with those tires. leclerc is clearly frustrated, hope Ferrari sort it out soon.
Whoa! This is definitely an issue for Ferrari. they really need to step up their game. Tyres are the core of any race!
Seriously, I can’t believe they’re still dealing with these issues. They’ve got to focus on tyre consistency, it’s a huge part of racing.
It’s all about the tyres in F1. Ferrari has got some serious work to do… I believe in you Leclerc!
Isn’t it weird that they’re having this much trouble with tyres? You’d think that’s one thing they’d have nailed down by now…
Well that was quite a race, wasn’t it? It’s always tough seeing a team like Ferrari struggle, hope they can sort their tyre issues out soon…
Is it just me or does anyone else think Leclerc deserves a better car? Seriously, the guy is trying his best, but those tyres…
This is so frustrating, you knw? Ferrari’s got the talent but the tyres r just not working out for them. Got to figure that out…
As a diehard Ferrari fan, this is painful to watch… They really need to sort out their tyre performance and fast.
What’s with the inconsistent tyre performance, Ferrari? Get ur act together, mates! We’re rooting for ya.
Wow, Ferrari really need to step up their game. I mean, their tyres performance is like a rollercoaster. 😀
How does a team like Ferrari struggle with tyre management?? This should be basic stuff. c’mon!
It must be frustratin for leclerc. Same tyres, same driver but different results! smh
Leclerc’s comment bout the wind changing and impacting the car is interesting. Didn’t realise how sensitive these F1 cars can be
Despite everything, I believe in Ferrari. they’ll figure this out. Forza Ferrari!
Leclerc really knowz wut hez talkin’ bout! Ferrari gotz to focus on them tirez, man. They gotta get it right in da sweet spot, ya know? Consistency iz da key!
Leclerc’s struggle with Ferrari’s tirez iz a real bummer. It’s crazy how one moment he got no grip, and then the next he feelin’ all good. Tire consistency gotta be their main goal, man!
Leclerc’s insights on Ferrari’s tire performance are spot on. It’s not just about understeer or oversteer, it’s the unpredictable behavior that’s drivin’ ’em nuts. Hope they can sort it out soon!