Positive atmosphere at Ferrari – Leclerc
Ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc insisted that there is a positive atmosphere at the Maranello-based team despite its troublesome start to the season.
Ferrari endured a rather difficult start to the coronavirus-delayed 2020 F1 season with scoring just a single podium finish and failing to challenge the field-leading Mercedes outfit. In fact, the Scuderia slipped down the pecking order and currently lies fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Denying rumours, Charles Leclerc said that Ferrari has managed to maintain a good spirit and intends to overcome its current difficulties by working hard on its troublesome 2020 F1 car, the SF1000.
„Everyone at Scuderia Ferrari is pushing to the maximum to react to the current state of affairs. As we saw with the upgrades we brought to Austria for the second race, the guys in Maranello are doing their utmost and Seb and I can only do the same in trying to give them as accurate feedback as possible which will be useful to correct the car’s weak points.”
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann has acknowledged this week that the fabled Italian team ruled out victories until 2022. The Monégasque driver agreed with the American-Italian, but indicated that the team did not give up its belief that it can turn their current car into a better machine as the actual cars will be carried over to 2021.
“The President wanted to address the fans and everyone in motorsport in a transparent way, explaining the current situation within the team at the moment. And I think that was important. Despite the difficulties, I have to say that neither myself nor the team are frustrated, but rather we want to work together, united and motivated to try and make the SF1000 more competitive, both for this season and the next one.”
Sebastian Vettel who will leave the Scuderia at the end of the current year echoed his team-mate’s words: “I feel very sorry for the team, because I know how hard each one of them is working. It’s a difficult situation for everyone and only by pulling together can we get out of it.”
The quadruple world champion also commented on Germany’s return on the F1 calendar. The sport has recently announced that three venues would be added to the revised schedule with Nürburgring, Portimao and Imola set to join the calendar. The Nürburgring event that will officially be titled Eifel Grand Prix will be staged on October 11 will take place at a time when weather is usually rather cold in that region of Germany.
“Even I was surprised,” he said. “I don't know if you’re aware that this area is known as the ‘German Siberia’. I would be really amazed if the weather didn’t play a key role in this race. In these parts, in October the temperature can be anything from 20 degrees or near to zero with a lot of ice. It will be an interesting race,” Vettel added.
