P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc missed out on a podium at the Japanese Grand Prix but was voted ‘Driver of the Day’.
Charles Leclerc expressed satisfaction with finishing fourth in the Japanese Grand Prix but admitted that his qualifying performance was a “negative” for the second race in a row. Despite starting in eighth, Leclerc made up four places at Suzuka, acknowledging that he struggled to get his tires in the optimal operating window in Q3. Running on an alternate strategy, Leclerc’s strong race pace surprised McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin, as he was the only front-running driver to make a one-stop work. A podium finish seemed within reach for Leclerc had he qualified better, but he was overtaken by teammate Carlos Sainz towards the end of the race. Leclerc is focusing on improving his qualifying pace, a departure from his usual strength in one-lap performance throughout his career, and is determined to find the right window for his tires in Shanghai. Recognized for his exceptional one-lap pace in F1, Leclerc attributes his recent struggles in qualifying to his preparation lap, highlighting the need for better consistency. Despite his current challenges, Leclerc remains confident that analyzing the data before the Chinese Grand Prix will help him make the necessary improvements for the upcoming race.
