Formula 1 racing - Ferrari's ecstasy turns to embarrassment yet another time.
Charles Leclerc openly conveyed his disappointment following Ferrari's recent dip into a crisis phase, commenting, "It was definitely a weekend to forget." Two weeks prior, Leclerc celebrated his thunderous victory in his home country, hoping for a significant chance in the Formula 1 championship fight. However, issues with engines, strategies, and two retirements had little left for the Italian racing squad.
Following his premature exit at the Canadian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen walked away with yet another victory, leading to a 56-point gap between Verstappen and Leclerc in the overall standings. Leclerc's crash was unfortunate, considering his engine issues couldn't be resolved, requiring him to drive on a wet track with dry tires, which resulted in a perilous ride. Details from the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera," chronicling it as a "humiliation."
The significant concerns around engine complications are bubbling up.
Carlos Sainz, a winner of the Australian round earlier this year, didn't make it to the checkered flag either. Slipping on the wet asphalt and slamming into the track barrier, the Spaniard lost valuable points. "It really hurts. To give up so many points is not ideal," commented Leclerc, who likewise found himself in a race against time starting in 11th place in qualifying. Sainz, meanwhile, was further down the rankings.
The power loss possibly arose from an issue in the engine control system. "We lost a lot of power," acknowledged team boss Fred Vasseur. There was a triumphant leap into the Bay of Monaco just a few weeks ago, but it's been pretty quiet since. The press saw the event in light of their waning points record during the past few seasons and lamented the "empty number."
Engine troubles have been a persistent issue.
"The reality is that we frequently need to change engines," said Leclerc. In Imola, some concerns had surfaced, and though they were resolved in Monaco, Montreal presented further complications. Leclerc dropped approximately 0.9 seconds behind the competition on the straightaways, an insurmountable difference in motor sports. "Before the race in Barcelona in two weeks, we need to resolve this problem," insisted Leclerc.
The most recent driver's title for Ferrari belongs to Kimi Räikkönen in 2007. The last champion to make multiple wins donning red was Michael Schumacher, who dominated an era and enthralled the Tifosi, as none have since his last title in 2000. There's a substantial yearning for a return to those days and heightened expectations for next year, given Lewis Hamilton's experience and his anticipated shift from Mercedes to Scuderia.
At 39 years old, Hamilton will replace Sainz at the end of the season, yet he's observing the consistent engine woes with unease, especially when Mercedes appeared stronger in Canada, putting pressure on Verstappen while tripling Hamilton's points in the process. Sainz, slated to be erased from the ranks of Scuderia, admitted: "We simply couldn't match the competition. It was highly discouraging, especially after our most fruitful weekend and then the subsequent slump."
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- Despite Carlos Sainz's victory in the Australian Grand Prix earlier in the year, he too faced an unfortunate exit during the Canadian Grand Prix, mirroring Ferrari's inconsistent performance in Formula 1.
- The disappointment was palpable among the Ferrari team, with Carlos Sainz echoing Leclerc's sentiments, stating, "It's been highly discouraging, especially after our most fruitful weekend and then the subsequent slump."
- In the international motorsport arena, Ferrari's engine complications have been a recurring issue, causing Leclerc and Sainz to struggle on the track.
- Max Verstappen's win at the Canadian Grand Prix widened the points gap between him and Leclerc, fueling concerns about Ferrari's ability to compete with the Dutchman's dominant performance in Formula 1.
- The Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" highlighted the team's humiliation in its recent report, adding to the pressure on Ferrari to improve their performance in Formula 1.
- Ferrari's last Formula 1 driver's title was won by Kimi Räikkönen in 2007, and their fans, the Tifosi, have been yearning for a return to those glory days, especially with the anticipated shift of Lewis Hamilton to Scuderia.
- Following the Canadian Grand Prix, the Ferrari team is under intense scrutiny, with many questioning their ability to contest for the Formula 1 championship, given their persistent engine troubles.
- As Lewis Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari at the end of the season, he, too, has expressed concern over the team's engine woes, which affected Mercedes' performance in Canada and could potentially hinder their chances in future races.
