Leclerc and the Ferrari they seem to be among the favorites to win the Canadian GP. It’s not there Stable itself to proclaim itself, of course, but it is the opponents who put pressure in what seems to be an excellent moment for those who lead the team SF–24 version EVOa car that gives Imola seems to have taken an important step forward, but overall probably not yet at the level of Red Bulland perhaps paired with McLaren.
From track to track, the forces involved may vary, and as always in the F1 modern, a very small detail, even apparently insignificant, can make a big difference. The layout of the route, for example, is fundamental, and the one in Montreal can actually lend a hand Ferrarieven if the variable weather could upset everything, and already in these hours the rain has fallen copiously on the Quebec and in particular on Gilles Villeneuve.
Leclerc he doesn’t feel like the one to beat in any way, also because the recent past has told us how Red Bull is the strongest machine of the company, and if desired, overall, it seems that the RB20 is still ahead of everyone, despite no longer being as dominant as it was until a few races ago, the Chinathe last true mastery of the single-seater and of Verstappenwhile in the last three events we have seen one F1 completely different.
Ferrari, Leclerc knows the strength of the SF-24 EVO
The victory of Monk gave to Leclerc and to Ferrari a considerable awareness: clearly, the weekend of the Principality often makes history in itself, but without a competitive car, given the great competition to stay up front on the weekend of Mountain Carlo you don’t take it home. There SF-24 there is, we have written it to you in every way, but now we need definitive proof, but first Barcelona we will hardly be able to get answers.
Already, Barcelonatrack standard and where everyone expects a forceful return of Red Bull. Before the Spanish appointment, however, we need to rush in Canadaand given what is coming down from the sky in the last few hours, the forces on the track could experience further disruption, and the RB20suffering on high curbs, will have help in the rain, but the biggest advantage is called Max Verstappenphenomenon on water.
However, these conditions are not of much concern Leclercbut the Monegasque seems to have quite clear ideas in case it were to rain: “We don’t yet know what the forces on the track might be if it were to rain, but I would prefer a wet qualifying and a dry race: the long distance in the water is always difficult in terms of strategy, and if your performance is good, further variables only complicate things”.
Ferrari favorite in Canada, Leclerc rejects the pressure
The words of Leclerc they leave no room for interpretation: in Ferrari they expect one SF-24 EVO very competitive in terms of race pace, and perhaps a little less so in terms of flying lap. The variable rain can therefore help from this point of view to start a little further forward, but this does not mean that we expect a slow car on Saturday. Everything remains to be seen, because the weather conditions are constantly changing, and therefore a weekend full of uncertainty awaits us down to the last metre.
There Stable Of Maranello driven by Frederic Vasseur probably feels for the first time under positive pressure, probably on long run It really will be the car to beat Canadabut overall the weekend the situation will be much closer and more balanced between the various contenders for pole and victory. It’s an unprecedented situation, which can certainly be pleasing from some points of view, but as Hamilton said a few days ago, it’s easier to be predator than prey.
Leclerc so he doesn’t want to take on the role of favorite, probably overall the SF–24 he can’t even afford it, so he sends everything back to sender: “Once is Marko to tell us that we are the favourites, the other is Norris: in reality no one wants to be considered as such, and I won’t even be the one to say it, it’s better to pass this hot potato on to others. The only thing I can agree on is that we are very close to McLaren And Red Bullso whoever does the best job over the weekend will be rewarded.”
“We still have work to do, because one of our weak points are slow and long curves: in China we were in difficulty from this point of view, so we need to improve the car in those areas. Then there are always other small details to fix, which however can make a big difference considering the great current balance. We are a step behind Red Bull, but not that far away, and compared to 2023 we have always maximized results without leaving points along the way. There is a different attitude – concludes Leclerc – we don’t waste time making decisions and there is no fear of making mistakes, whereas before we were more conservative”.
A different attitude at home Ferrarinow there is the awareness of having returned among the greats with the hard and patient work of this year and a half: there is a risk, which with the management Binotto it never happened, just remember the havoc of Silverstone 2022just to mention an episode that is very unfavorable to Leclerc. Music is changing, but as always the track will be the supreme judge.
Author: Andrea Bovone
Images: Scuderia Ferrari – Red Bull Content Pool
