Leclerc Faces Challenges Ahead of Monaco GP
Monaco, May 25, 2024 — Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has expressed concerns about the team’s performance heading into the Monaco Grand Prix, citing persistent low-speed corner weaknesses in the SF-25 as a significant hurdle. This weekend’s race marks a difficult repeat of last year’s triumph for Leclerc, where he secured his first home victory after several near-misses.
Despite a strong start to the 2024 season, with a win each for Leclerc and former teammate Carlos Sainz, Ferrari’s momentum waned as competitors, notably McLaren, improved. Currently, the Scuderia trails both McLaren and Mercedes, and is outscored by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the standings.
Leclerc noted, “If you want an honest answer, then it’s low. Our car hasn’t been particularly strong in low-speed corners, and Monaco is all about that.” He acknowledged the unique configuration of the Monaco circuit could yield unpredictable results: “Monaco is so unique that we can have a good surprise once we put the car down tomorrow.”
His remarks came amidst an ongoing effort by Ferrari to optimize their car for this specific track, which requires a singular focus on low-speed performance. Leclerc highlighted the distinctive nature of Monaco’s layout allows teams to focus less on a balanced setup typical of other circuits.
“There have been years when we didn’t expect to be on pole, and when you think you have zero hopes, you just go for it,” Leclerc recalled, reminiscing about his unexpected pole position in 2021. “I hope we’ll discover something new about our car that we haven’t seen yet since the beginning of the season.”
With qualifying considered crucial for success in Monaco, Leclerc remains hopeful, stating, “It’s going to be tough, but we’ll see.”
As the weekend approaches, Ferrari must address its low-speed performance to leverage any advantages the unique track may present.
