P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari hopes of landing pole at Imola were shattered as qualifying ‘probably worse than expected’ according to Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc expressed his belief that Ferrari’s Formula 1 competitors were holding back in Friday practice, with him and teammate Carlos Sainz falling short of the pole position they had aimed for at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. Ferrari’s SF-24s showcased various upgrades, fueling high hopes both within the team and among the Tifosi, as Leclerc topped the timesheets in both practice sessions. Despite the subdued significance of Friday times, Ferrari appeared to have an advantage over Red Bull and McLaren, with Max Verstappen facing adversity and voicing dissatisfaction with his Red Bull. Moving into qualifying, Leclerc made a strong showing on medium tires but was outshined by Verstappen in the end, resulting in a fourth-place start. Reflecting on the day, Leclerc acknowledged the positives of the upgrades but recognized the need to fully understand and utilize their potential in upcoming races. Looking ahead to the race, Leclerc remains optimistic about Ferrari’s prospects, targeting a win despite the challenging track conditions and emphasizing the importance of track position.
