Leclerc Voices Discontent After Imola, Verstappen Claims Victory

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has conveyed his disappointment with the team’s performance leading up to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, stating that the current situation is “unacceptable” given the significant expectations for their home race.

Leclerc concluded the Imola race in sixth place, marking the first instance of his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton, surpassing him at this renowned circuit. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured the win by executing an opening-lap pass on Oscar Piastri of McLaren.

Ferrari’s weekend commenced poorly when neither driver managed to advance into Q3 during the qualifying rounds. Consequently, they began the race from the 11th and 12th grid positions, representing a considerable setback for the team on their home track.

Following the race, Leclerc voiced his dissatisfaction with the car’s performance and the team’s overall competitiveness.

Leclerc’s Comments

“I was saying before, it’s one of the races where you’ve got to race with heart and put the elbows out a little bit,” Leclerc commented. “When it’s like this you go very much on the limit, sometimes a little bit over.”

“But when you are starting P11, as a driver I cannot accept the situation we are in,” he further added.

Hamilton, conversely, expressed satisfaction with his own performance and lauded the team’s collective efforts throughout the weekend.

Hamilton’s Perspective

“I did think we would make an improvement this weekend with something I’ve fixed, and I believe there’s still more to come,” the 40-year-old remarked.

“The set-up felt great, the car was mega, and the team executed fantastic strategy and pit stops. There’s been a lot of pressure this season with our struggles, especially in qualifying, but this weekend was a big step forward,” he concluded.

The Formula 1 schedule now progresses to Monaco, Leclerc’s home Grand Prix.

The Monegasque driver was victorious there in his previous appearance, but experts suggest that Ferrari may encounter similar difficulties next week unless substantial improvements are implemented.