P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc has detailed how the presence of new tyres in qualifying masked any weaknesses of Ferrari’s 2023 Formula 1
Ferrari had a strong qualifying performance with seven pole positions, but they struggled to convert them into victories, only managing one win at the Singapore Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc was responsible for five of those pole positions, showcasing his qualifying prowess. However, Ferrari’s car, the SF-23, had issues managing the tires, especially as they got older and with more fuel on board. Leclerc explained that the car’s weaknesses became more apparent in race conditions, such as driving in traffic or changing temperatures. In contrast, Red Bull’s car was less affected by these factors. Leclerc highlighted the Mexico City Grand Prix as an example of Ferrari’s struggles, where they were fast on medium tires but struggled on the hard tires. Leclerc admitted that celebrating pole positions became less significant as he already knew that maintaining the lead in the race would be challenging. Instead, his focus was on helping to understand the car and make improvements for future success.
