Charles Leclerc has "no concerns" for Saudi Arabia despite Qatar chassis change

Leclerc, Ferrari, Qatar — Photo: © LAT Images

Qatar Grand Prix

Leclerc has "no concerns" for Saudi Arabia despite Qatar chassis change

Leclerc finished P8 in Qatar

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 24 November 2021 15:50

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Charles Leclerc explained he has 'no concerns' over needing to use a different chassis for the final two races after damaging his original at the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.

Ferrari found a crack in the chassis after qualifying at the Losail International Circuit, with the kerbs on F1's first visit to the Qatari circuit also leading to damage to Nikita Mazepin's Haas.

Asked if the damaged chassis could be fixed in time for the final races of the season, team principal Mattia Binnoto replied: "The chassis will certainly be repaired.

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"If that will be the chassis that will race, I don't think so at that stage of the season but I think what we discovered, there was not time to repair it and the chassis we fit onto the car was the same specification to the one he had so I don't think there is a preference between the two.

"The one that will be repaired will very likely be the spare for the rest of the season."

Despite strong performances with the chassis that sustained damage, Leclerc insisted there were no worries ahead of the final two races.

"No, no, I don't have any concerns once I knew the chassis was changed," he said.

"It is normally not a thing where you have much difference if you are going to another chassis."

Leclerc "not extremely happy" despite recovery drive.

Leclerc failed to advance to Q3 in qualifying and was left "lost" by the lack of pace shown by his SF21.

Assessing his race after the change of chassis, the Monegasque explained: "The feeling was much better.

"[Saturday] I felt quite off and yeah, the feeling was good straightaway from the beginning.

"The race was quite tricky, starting P13 and behind a group of cars, especially in the first stint. Then on the second stint, I found a bit of free air and we could show our pace that was strong even though we had to manage the tyres to get to the end.

"Overall, the pace was there today and it was just a shame we started so much at the back.

"Hopefully, the last two races will be everything together, qualifying and the race but happy we had the pace today, not extremely happy to finish P8 as P8 is not so exciting."