Leclerc, Vettel want more from Ferrari despite strong Friday
Leclerc, Vettel want more from Ferrari despite strong Friday
Both Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel said increased balance will be key if Ferrari are to maintain their positive standing from practice at the Russian Grand Prix.
Leclerc and Max Verstappen traded places atop the timing sheet in FP1 and FP2, although the Red Bull will drop from contention somewhat come Sunday as he serves a five-place grid penalty for taking a new Honda engine in Sochi.
Mercedes had the third-quickest car in both sessions, suggesting that a fourth consecutive win could well be on the cards for the Scuderia, but both of the team's drivers left the track on Friday looking for more.
"There is still quite a lot of lap time to be gained on our side," Leclerc said.
"The balance was not exactly how I wanted it to be, especially in the qualifying runs, but the race pace looked very strong, so that's good. It's mostly the balance throughout the qualifying lap."
Vettel echoed his team-mate's sentiments, although his assertion that the Red Bull looked the strongest car on-track will be music to Ferrari fans' ears as they bask in the glory of three successive victories for the first time since 2008.
"It was a bit strange. We tried some stuff, and we need to decide what to keep and what to get rid of," Vettel said after Friday practice.
"Red Bull looked really quick this morning and also in the afternoon, especially in sector three.
"I think we can improve, especially in terms of balance, we'll put it altogether and it should be a better day tomorrow.
"How much time we can manage? It's difficult to know. But tomorrow we are on the good side of things."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- 3 hours ago
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- Yesterday 22:57
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- Yesterday 21:57
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- Yesterday 19:57
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
F1 calendar shortened: Is it right to decide against replacing Russian Grand Prix?
F1 decide NOT to replace axed Russian Grand Prix
Schumacher 'hopes and prays' for Ukraine after Russian GP axe
McLaren insist dropped Russian GP was "untenable"
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860