Charles Leclerc breaks silence on Ferrari’s ‘biggest problem’ amidst challenging F1 run

Ferrari has scored only a single podium since their pompous win at Monte Carlo.

Charles Leclerc breaks silence on Ferrari’s ‘biggest problem’ amidst challenging F1 run

Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc failed to make it onto the front row in qualifying yet again at the Hungarian GP. Leclerc has been on a declining run of form since his extravagant race win at Monaco this year.

The Maranello-based team emerged as one of the strongest on the grid at the start of the campaign. Ferrari managed to amass two wins and nine podiums before falling short to McLaren, who leads them in the title race.

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Charles Leclerc has since spoken on the issues facing the team, highlighting one particular cause as the supreme reason. The 26-year-old claimed his team lacks performance in their SF-24 against the likes of Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull.

The best thing we could do this weekend was instead of not maximising our weekend, maximising it, which I honestly think we did [in qualifying]. The biggest problem now is that we don't have the performance to do much better, so that is where we'll focus the development for the future.
Charles Leclerc told the media including RacingNews365

The Reds start the upcoming Hungarian GP from P4 and P6 and will be keen on getting ahead during the opening stint. The Italian outfit desperately needs the win in Budapest in order to keep their title hopes alive.

Carlos Sainz speaks in support of teammate Charles Leclerc

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has defended his teammate Charles Leclerc for his lackluster performances on the grid. Sainz has performed slightly better than Leclerc, despite scoring fewer points.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)
It's always the same with Charles. There are races where he is in front and I accept it with dignity because I know he is a very fast driver. I also have my races where I go fast and now I have been driving at a very good level for a few years now.
Carlos Sainz via SportsMole

The two drivers have shared Ferrari’s garage since 2021 and have proved successful teammates. The dynamic duo is set to part ways as Carlos Sainz leaves Ferrari at the end of 2024 after four years.

Leclerc qualified behind Sainz by only three-tenths of a second and starts P6 in Budapest. The two Ferrari pilots will now be keen to salvage points and podiums around the 4.3 km Hungaroring.

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