“Not really our target,” Charles Leclerc claims Ferrari has ‘no positive’ takeaways from Chinese GP
Charles Leclerc managed a fourth place finish in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc (via imago)
Ferrari has had a pretty good start to the 2024 Formula 1 season. The iconic Scarlet Red has been the second-best car by far during the first 4 rounds of the season and has showcased a lot of improvements in comparison to last year’s challenger.
But, all of this changed during the Chinese GP race weekend as their car, the SF24 seemed to be off the pace and struggling throughout the weekend. Charles Leclerc finished P4 and Carlos Sainz managed P5, and both drivers complained about the car’s performance throughout the race. Following the disappointing result, Leclerc shared his thoughts on how the Maranello-based team’s overall weekend went.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz lacked pace massively in comparison to the Red Bulls and also to McLaren’s Lando Norris.
No! Not on a weekend like this, finishing where we ended up is not really our target. I think what is going to be the game changer is going to be the upgrades.
Charles Leclerc after the Chinese GP
Is there positives to take away?
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) April 21, 2024
Charles Leclerc: No! Not on a weekend like this, finishing where we ended up is not really our target. I think what is going to be the game changer is going to be the upgrades.
The Monagasque added how there were no positive data or takeaways from their entire Shanghai weekend and shared how the upcoming upgrades will definitely help them. The upgrades are rumored to be coming during the Italian GP at Imola next month and are something that Leclerc seems to be looking forward to.
Charles Leclerc reveals upcoming upgrades will shape and define Ferrari’s season
The Italian Grand Prix at Imola will see a lot of teams bringing their first massive upgrade packages. As mentioned earlier, Ferrari is one of the big teams that will bring their upgrade package that is rumored to overhaul and revamp the SF24 massively.

After the disappointing race pace in Shanghai, Leclerc revealed that these upgrades would shape the direction in which Ferrari’s season goes.
So, we need to focus on that when we have them. And, that will set the direction for the rest of the season, and we have to get it right.
Charles Leclerc after the Chinese GP
Leclerc: So, we need to focus on that when we have them. And, that will set the direction for the rest of the season, and we have to get it right.
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) April 21, 2024
The No.16 driver emphasized how his team has to get this upgrade package right in order for them to be more competitive with the dominant Red Bulls. Only time will tell if the upgrades deliver the necessary performance or not. Next up on the F1 calendar is the 2024 Miami Grand Prix!
In case you missed it:
- WATCH: Lance Stroll SLAMS into Daniel Ricciardo’s VCARB during safety car restart in the Chinese GP
- “Engine is out,” Valtteri Bottas bows out of Chinese GP on lap 20 because of an abrupt engine issue