P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc has admitted Ferrari must do “something special” to keep the F1 title alive versus McLaren as he qualified in fifth place at the Qatar Grand Prix.
McLaren securing a crucial 1-2 in the Sprint race widened Ferrari’s gap to the leaders to 30 points, with Leclerc finishing fifth behind Sainz. Despite showing speed in FP1, Ferrari’s performance did not carry over to the following sessions. Leclerc admitted that the team gave their best but couldn’t find more pace in the car. Verstappen’s aggressive setup changes helped him clinch an unexpected pole position. Ferrari also made adjustments to Leclerc’s car, narrowing the gap to Verstappen but acknowledging the car’s overall performance. Leclerc expressed surprise at Red Bull and Mercedes’ strong pace, emphasizing the ongoing battle with McLaren and the need to exceed expectations in the upcoming races for a shot at the Constructors’ title.
