Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc expressed disappointment with the team’s performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, despite securing fourth place. The team faced challenges with tire management and strategic difficulties, leading Leclerc to emphasize the importance of upcoming car upgrades. The upgrades will likely focus on the floor, a critical component for generating downforce. Ferrari aims to improve its competitiveness in the upcoming European leg of the championship.
Sergio Perez believes Red Bull’s chances of a 1-2 finish in Shanghai were hampered by the timing of the safety car, which forced him to switch to a two-stop strategy. After a delayed first pit stop, Perez and teammate Max Verstappen converted to a one-stop during a safety car period. However, Perez had to use his hard tires to pass Charles Leclerc, which left him with insufficient tire life to catch Lando Norris.
Mercedes endured another difficult weekend in China, failing to capitalize on the promise of a second-place finish in the sprint race. George Russell finished sixth while Lewis Hamilton struggled in ninth, leaving the team perplexed about unlocking the potential of their W15 car. Major setup changes failed to yield significant improvements, prompting team principal Toto Wolff to admit an element of mystery surrounding the car’s behavior. Russell suggested that Mercedes may need to accept the current limitations of the car, while Wolff confirmed that new upgrades will be introduced in Miami.
Mercedes F1 Team had a challenging weekend in China, with George Russell finishing sixth and Lewis Hamilton ninth in the main grand prix. Despite significant setup changes, the team failed to improve its performance, leaving it with unanswered questions about the potential of its W15 car.
