Charles Leclerc had mixed feelings after Formula 1 qualifying for the 2023 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Because when he was asked for an interview in front of the grandstand after third place, he said: “I don’t often smile when I’m third, but here in Monza and with so much support, it really feels extraordinary.”
He would also have “liked to be first,” admits Leclerc. That’s why he was “a bit disappointed” to have only taken third place on the track.
But there were reasons, as Leclerc explains to “Sky”: “Right from the start we had a different orientation with the cars, but my direction in the set-up turned out to be wrong on Friday.” Because with his vote he had “big problems” getting a lap together in Monza.
Why Leclerc made the U-turn in the vote
What made him do this experiment? “I just had the impression it was the right step,” says Leclerc. “But after the second free practice session, it was clear to me that that wasn’t the case. Quite simply.”
Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari SF-23 had a good start to the weekend. “So on Saturday I aligned my vote with Carlos’ vote and then it was just a matter of adjusting to it as quickly as possible,” says Leclerc. He promptly “got things in order” in qualifying and he was “satisfied” with his performance.
The only thing missing was the slipstream to do even better than P3, 0.067 seconds behind Ferrari team-mate Sainz on pole position. And the lack of slipstream “probably cost us at least one position,” says Leclerc.
Team boss Vasseur does not want to overestimate slipstreaming
The analysis of F1 speed supports this thesis: In a direct comparison to Sainz, Leclerc loses some time on practically all straights, but catches up in the chicanes and corners – but not enough to be in front in the end.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur does not want to overestimate the slipstream factor and says on Sky: “I am still convinced that it is better without a slipstream. Of course there is an advantage through the slipstream on the straights. But there is also a disadvantage [in den Kurven]. And [Verstappen] also had no slipstream. It was the right decision.”
The question remains what Ferrari can do with this starting position over the race distance. For Vasseur, that’s “difficult to say.” Based on Friday’s long run data, however, he was “quite confident”.
Ferrari: Only Sunday counts…
“Our race trim was okay on Friday, although the long runs were rather short. That’s not very representative of the race. But so far, so good. And now let’s see how it looks after the first lap, where we are and what we can do.”
It is crucial for Ferrari to “keep calm,” emphasizes Vasseur. “The really important thing is yet to come. Because on Monday we have Sunday’s result in mind, not Saturday’s result.”
That’s why he hopes above all that Sainz and Leclerc “don’t get too close” at the crucial moment, but work together to distance Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
Leclerc even speculates on a double victory
Vasseur sees Ferrari “at an advantage” here because they have both cars in the top 3. “It gives you more leeway in strategy. But I think it’s more about pace than strategy,” said the Ferrari team boss.
Leclerc even freely brings a possible double victory into play because the pace is “good” and the Ferrari starts are often “very good”. “Hopefully we can [Verstappen] overtake right at the start and put pressure on Carlos to pull us away. That would be outstanding.”
“Realistically,” Red Bull is “also strong in the race,” says Leclerc. “Checo [Perez] is also looking strong this weekend, albeit a little less in qualifying. But in the race both seem to be very strong. So we have quite a bit of pressure. But as always, if there’s a chance, we’ll take it.”