P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari opened the new Formula 1 season with a podium at the Bahrain Grand Prix but Charles Leclerc has hinted that Saudi Arabia will be a more tricky affair.
Charles Leclerc suggested that Ferrari will lag further behind in Saudi Arabia compared to the season opener in Bahrain, with Jeddah’s F1 track posing a high-speed challenge. Despite Leclerc’s near-miss for pole position in Bahrain and brake issues during the Grand Prix, teammate Carlos Sainz impressed by finishing third. Leclerc admitted that the fast track in Jeddah might not play to Ferrari’s strengths, highlighting medium-speed corners as their forte historically. Ferrari, buoyed by improvements over last year, aims to address weaknesses and leverage their current better position to challenge front-runners like Red Bull in upcoming races. Leclerc emphasized the importance of focusing on future upgrades, acknowledging that Max Verstappen’s Red Bull still maintains a significant lead.
