The Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc, explained his team’s strategic decision during the recent Formula 1 sprint at Zandvoort. Although the race was not full of action, Leclerc managed to overtake Lando Norris and finished in second place, thus standing out in a competition that required excellent driving skills and a clear tire strategy.
His choice to start on soft tires, an uncommon decision as only he and another driver did so, was a result of a detailed analysis of the practice data. Leclerc emphasized Ferrari’s ability in tire degradation, a variable that seemed very favorable for him during the competition.
However, the driver confessed that, before the race, he had doubts upon seeing that most of his grid mates had opted for medium tires. «It’s a risk, since when you’re the only one doing something, it can go very well or very badly,» Leclerc stated. Ultimately, the tire choice allowed him to show competitive pace and maintain his position toward the end of the race.
Leclerc pointed out that the tire decision was made together with his team. «It wasn’t an easy choice, as there were various strategies. Nonetheless, I was satisfied with my decision, which seemed correct after FP1,» he added.
On the other hand, Leclerc also highlighted that Ferrari’s race pace is good, but qualifying remains a weakness. «Our speed has been strong on long runs, but we have found difficulties in qualifying, and that is an aspect we want to improve,» concluded the Monegasque driver, who ended up third on the grid, just 0.055 seconds behind poleman George Russell.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
