P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Ferrari driver was able to bank five pole positions in 2023, but could not convert any into a win.
Charles Leclerc explained that Ferrari’s weaknesses in their 2023 car were hidden by the performance of new tires during qualifying sessions. Despite securing five pole positions, Leclerc struggled to convert his one-lap pace into race wins, with his best result being second place in Austria, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi. Leclerc also noted that the SF-23 had a particular sensitivity to tire performance, as the car’s weaknesses became more evident as the tires aged and lost grip, especially when driving in traffic or under changing weather conditions. In contrast, Leclerc mentioned that Red Bull’s car was less affected by these issues. Overall, Leclerc emphasized the fine balance Ferrari’s car operated on, citing the example of struggling on hard tires during the Mexico City Grand Prix despite their strong performance on medium tires.
