Ferrari 'back to reality': Leclerc disappointed after Sprint qualifying
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Charles Leclerc admits that Ferrari's performance in Friday's Sprint qualifying in Qatar was more in line with the team's expectations following its strong display earlier in the day in free practice.
Despite topping the opening session, with teammate Carlos Sainz clicking in fourth, Leclerc's impressive pace fizzled in the Sprint shootout, leaving the Monegasque acknowledging a sobering "return to reality".
Both Ferrari drivers clocked in well behind their McLaren rivals and Mercedes' George Russell, with Sainz concluding qualifying fourth just ahead of Leclerc.
The lackluster performance – in relative terms – stung for Leclerc, especially given Ferrari's ongoing Constructors' Championship battle with McLaren.
"When you give it all, obviously, and we only think P4 and P5, it's not great, considering how important this weekend is for us," said the eight-time Grand Prix winner.
"But let's say that, for whatever reason, FP1 was a lot above our expectations. This, I would say, is in line with what we expected, so we're coming back to reality.
"Obviously, after FP1, there were hopes that we could do something better, but we didn't. We are not in the best position, but we never know. It's always different on the coming race day."
Carlos Sainz mirrored Leclerc's disappointment but revealed that he had anticipated rivals such as McLaren turning the tables in Sprint Qualifying.
Sainz approached the session with a degree of caution, aware that Ferrari's strong FP1 times could be misleading.
"I never really try and read too much into FP1, because you never know the fuel loads and engine modes the other ones are running," commented the Spaniard.
"The good news is that the car was feeling better in terms of balance than expected.
"Obviously, the timesheets were reflecting that, but we went into Quali still worried that our rivals could be quick around here, and that's what we saw."
Sainz highlighted issues with his car's handling, particularly understeer, as a key factor in his inability to extract maximum performance during his final run.
"I think, anyway, we didn't maximise our package. Even though the lap was clean, it was just a lap with a lot of understeer in the car. I just couldn't turn the car, basically, for the whole lap."
Sainz's task was further complicated by a lack of margin for error after a missed opportunity earlier in the session.
"It was also a tough lap, because it was my only chance to put a lap, so I couldn't risk it too much with track limits, which meant that, because I missed the previous lap, I just had to make sure I was getting a lap in," he concluded.
As Leclerc and Sainz turn their focus to Saturday's Sprint and Sunday's main race, they'll be hoping for unpredictable conditions or strategic opportunities to close the gap to McLaren and reclaim some momentum in their season-long duel.
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