The 2023 Formula 1 season has followed a predictable pattern, with Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominating each race. However, one team that continues to struggle is Ferrari. Despite the change in leadership, the Italian team’s performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix once again raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Charles Leclerc qualified in sixth place, while Carlos Sainz Jr. failed to advance and started the race in 11th. Team Principal Frederic Vasseur attributed their underwhelming performance to poor tire management. The team missed out on a higher grid position by less than a tenth of a second and struggled to match the pace of their rivals, including Lewis Hamilton.
The Grand Prix itself witnessed further errors by Ferrari. The first misstep came during a pit stop for Leclerc, with a faulty wheel gun resulting in a delay of around seven seconds. Subsequently, Leclerc received a penalty for exceeding the speed limit in the pit lane, further hampering his chances. Despite finishing in sixth place, the five-second penalty pushed him down to seventh.
Following the race, both the ESPN telecast and former driver turned analyst Ralf Schumacher criticized the team’s pit stop blunder, highlighting the importance of mastering the fundamentals. Schumacher specifically placed blame on Leclerc for the speeding penalty, emphasizing the driver’s experience and the need for such mistakes to be avoided.
While Sainz made an impressive start, gaining five positions in the opening laps, his race took a downturn when the team switched him to harder compound tires. Unable to manage the tire wear effectively, Sainz finished in eighth place. He candidly acknowledged the team’s main weakness – lacking the pace of the front-runners.
Team Principal Frederic Vasseur admitted that the race result was disappointing and acknowledged the mistakes made, particularly those affecting Leclerc’s performance. He emphasized the need for improvement, stating that the team should focus on the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix to secure a positive result before the summer shutdown.
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