Saudi Arabian GP: Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz remain optimistic despite engine problems

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have been out of tempo for Ferrari in Friday’s two apply classes on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix; Each Ferraris took on new energy models in Jeddah; Watch the Saudi Arabian GP ultimate apply reside Saturday at 1.30pm on Sky Sports activities F1

Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz stay optimistic about their possibilities at this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix regardless of the workforce’s ongoing engine issues.

It was confirmed earlier within the week that Leclerc can be handed a 10-place grid penalty in Jeddah after technical points on the season opener in Bahrain noticed him retire and use every of the 2 programs management electronics for which every pilot is allowed. marketing campaign, however extra dangerous information was to comply with.

Shortly after the beginning of Friday’s opening apply session, the FIA ​​confirmed that each Ferraris had additionally taken new energy models, which is not going to immediately result in additional penalties however may lead to infringements later within the season, and is an ominous reflection on the workforce’s confidence in its reliability. .

With the brand new energy models in place, they then delivered a disappointing show at a observe the place most anticipated them to be a lot nearer to early season trailblazers Purple Bull than had been the case. in Bahrain.

Sainz’s seventh place in opening apply was their greatest end of the day, with Leclerc ending ninth, one place forward of his teammate in session two, through which the nighttime situations mirror these through which Saturday’s qualifying and the race will happen. Sunday. .

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Max Verstappen tops the Saudi Arabian GP P1 timing sheet along with his ultimate run of the session.

The truth that the Ferraris have been virtually a second behind reigning world champion Max Verstappen led to suspicion that they’d run with their engines minimize, which Leclerc confirmed after the session.

“I do not assume we’re that dangerous,” Leclerc mentioned.

“Actually the texture is fairly good however very onerous to learn within the efficiency as a result of everybody does various things with energy, weight and so on.

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Regardless of a 10-place grid penalty, Charles Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari’s greatest efficiency on the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

“However the feeling was fairly good, and the race tempo appears higher than in Bahrain, in order that’s constructive.

“We have got fairly a couple of within the locker. What number of? Let’s examine.

“I am certain Purple Bull nonetheless have one thing hidden so we’ll see tomorrow however I feel it will likely be nearer than it’s in the meanwhile.”

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Oscar Piastri finds the entire observe blocked throughout a flying lap in P2 of the Saudi Arabian GP.

Even with Ferrari’s engines operating beneath full capability, Leclerc complained in the course of the second check of obvious issues however later insisted “there was nothing fallacious”.

“There have been a couple of moments the place I upshifted on the kerbs, which does not put the engine in one of the best place, so I complained simply to verify every little thing was positive.”

Sainz: ‘Our place at this time doesn’t replicate our true tempo’

Sainz had mentioned on Thursday that Ferrari was in a “dangerous state of affairs”, and affirmation that it was additionally getting a brand new engine on Friday added context to these feedback.

The Spaniard, who carries Ferrari’s hopes of difficult Purple Bull – and beating Aston Martin and Mercedes – given Leclerc’s grid penalty, was additionally optimistic in regards to the automotive’s tempo.

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Karun Chandhok updates us on the observe modifications for this yr’s Saudi Arabian GP at Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

“I really feel nearer than Bahrain,” mentioned Sainz, who completed fourth behind the Purple Bulls and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso within the season opener.

“Our place at this time doesn’t replicate our true tempo.

“We appear aggressive on the lengthy stints, so I am extra constructive heading into the weekend.

“Purple Bull are clear favorites however Aston Martin and Mercedes are there with us when it comes to tempo.

“The overall feeling, I really feel nearer. If it is sufficient to be on the rostrum or battle on the prime, we’ll see on Sunday.”

“Ferrari will probably be within the battle for pole”

Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok mentioned he anticipated Ferrari to battle for pole on Saturday, though he admits his begin to the season has been lower than best.

“Their followers received a giant beating final yr and everybody hoped this yr would begin otherwise, and it hasn’t to this point,” Chandhok mentioned.

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Relive Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen’s epic battle for victory on the 2022 Jeddah circuit.

“I feel Ferrari was holding again. I feel with all of the reliability points they’ve, they have not revved the engines as a lot as they want on a Friday.

“I count on them to be, actually in qualifying, within the battle for pole place. What occurs within the race, we are going to see over time.

Sky Sports activities F1’s Damon Hill added: “It is a disgrace, is not it? You possibly can construct probably the most stunning automotive on the earth, but when it has no engine it isn’t going wherever.”

Method 1 road racing is again! Watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports activities F1 this weekend. Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race are reside at 5 p.m. Get Sky Sports