Charles Leclerc claims the double DNF in Montreal ‘hurts’ after missing out on ‘big points’ for Ferrari

Ferrari's SF-24 did not prove competitive around the Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit.

Charles Leclerc claims the double DNF in Montreal ‘hurts’ after missing out on ‘big points’ for Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (Via: Imago)

The Ferrari F1 team had a disappointing outing at the 2024 Canadian GP. From ending up in P11 and P12 at the end of qualifying to managing a double DNF in the main race, the event turned out to be one to forget for Charles Leclerc and company.

During the 70-lap race, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were not able to make much of an impression. Moreover, Leclerc retired on lap 43 of the event whereas Sainz crashed into the barriers on lap 53 and soon after, retired his car because of heavy damage.

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Following the disappointing outing for Ferrari, Leclerc has admitted that the Canadian GP hurt him immensely.

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I think we weren’t that bad in corners and we were strong, just the engine was so big [of an] issue that we couldn’t do anything. So as much as we didn’t overreact after Monaco, we shouldn’t overreact after this one. But this one hurts. It’s big points for the team, with the two cars DNF’d.
Charles Leclerc said in an interview with F1

The Monegasque driver has sounded incredibly dejected with his team’s outing in Montreal. However, he has indicated what’s done is done and Ferrari should now focus on the upcoming event and working on the issues of the SF-24.

Carlos Sainz admits Ferrari was ‘struggling as a team’ in Montreal

While Leclerc has cut out as an extremely frustrated figure after Montreal, the same is the case with his teammate, Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard feels the SF-24 was just not at the level required to challenge for the podium around the Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit.

Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz (via IMAGO)

Ferrari’s challenger did not prove competitive on any compound during the race.

I think it’s clear that this weekend we were not on the right end of the pace and we were struggling as a team. In any condition really we seemed to be [struggling] with the balance and the pace. I think it’s going to be a one-off, and in Barcelona, we should be back where we are normally.
Carlos Sainz said in an interview with F1

The 29-year-old has oozed confidence ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. He is seeing the Montreal event as a bit of an anomaly for his team and thus, feels things will get back to normal from Barcelona onwards. However, because of Ferrari’s double DNF, the team has got to score big points in the upcoming event if they are to keep a healthy lead over third-place McLaren.

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