Michael Gooderham
Updated on: October 13, 2024 4:13 am GMT
Ferrari’s challenging weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix took a significant hit during the qualifying session, with both drivers facing setbacks that left them far from their usual competitive form. Carlos Sainz’s crash and Charles Leclerc’s disqualification from a timed lap due to track limits resulted in the team missing out on a strong starting position, pushing them down the grid for the race.
Sainz’s Crash Causes Red Flags
During the critical Q3 segment of qualifying, Sainz lost control of his car while attempting to set a competitive lap. His crash at the final corner brought out red flags, disrupting the flow of the session.
– Sainz’s crash occurred with just over eight minutes left in qualifying.
– The incident required an immediate halt to the session as track officials worked to clear the wreckage.
Reflecting on the crash, Sainz acknowledged his mistake, attributing it to a misjudgment of grip levels. As he described, “I underestimated the grip I would get launching the lap. I had a strange exit and had to let a lot of cars through, which left my tires colder than expected.”
Leclerc Struggles with Timing and Grip
While Sainz’s incident drew significant attention, Leclerc faced his own difficulties. After the red flag period ended, he saw what could have been a competitive lap time wiped out due to exceeding track limits at Turn 2.
– Leclerc ultimately qualified in ninth position after his time was disqualified.
– He has voiced concerns during the press conference about the tire temperatures affecting his car’s performance.
“We arrived in the first corner with cold front tires, and I locked up,” Leclerc explained. “We need to analyze what went wrong because we paid the price today.”
A Fine and Reflection for Sainz
As a result of his actions post-crash, Sainz has now been fined €25,000 by the FIA, with half of the penalty suspended for the remainder of the season. He crossed a live track to reach the pit lane after exiting his car uninjured.
– This decision follows similar penalties that have been meted out in the past for drivers crossing live tracks during race conditions.
– Sainz said, “I apologize to the team; that’s not how you want to finish qualifying.”
The stewards noted that while Sainz’s act was dangerous, it occurred under a red flag situation rather than during active racing, which contributed to the reduced penalty.
Looking Ahead to the Race
Despite their struggles in qualifying, both drivers are determined to rebound during the race. Leclerc expressed optimism that once the tires are in the right temperature window, they could be competitive again.
– “In races like Baku, once we find our rhythm, we tend to be quite strong,” Sainz remarked.
– Leclerc added, “It’s not a concern, but we’ve got to have answers for what happened here.”
Ferrari’s challenging qualifying scenario raises questions about tire management and the impact of weather conditions on performance on the Marina Bay circuit. As the team prepares for the race, they focus on addressing these issues to regain their competitive edge.
Concluding Remarks
This weekend’s races in Singapore show just how unpredictable Formula One can be. Teams always have to deal with tricky tire management and changing track conditions. For Ferrari, the main goal is to bounce back, as both Sainz and Leclerc are eager to move up in the rankings. Fans are excited to see how the team handles these challenges and if they can improve their luck when the race starts.
