'Impossible': Leclerc Gives Honest Verdict On Struggles After Bahrain Disappointment
F1
Charles Leclerc discussed his "really good effort" during the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix after facing many issues that hindered his progress.
Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc started Saturday's race from the second position alongside Max Verstappen after the "disappointing" end of qualifying on Friday.
The Monegasque driver predicted the Dutchman would be stronger in the race but still wanted to give it everything to bring home the best result possible.
However, after the first few laps around the Bahrain International Circuit, it became clear to Leclerc that even bringing his car to the finish line would be challenging.
The 26-year-old faced some sort of issue with his brakes, which caused his car to lock up every time he approached turn nine and 10, which not only lost him time but also destroyed his tires and was pretty dangerous overall. He told the media after the race:
"It was impossible in the first 15 laps, the issue was getting a lot worse every lap. I was obviously basing my braking for Turns 9 and 10 with the previous lap, which obviously felt too late all the time, but the issue was getting a lot worse so every time I would brake three metres earlier, but I would still lock up."
The Ferrari driver lost positions to George Russell and his teammate Carlos Sainz throughout the race as he had to manage the problem during all 57 laps until the end.
"Then at lap 15 or 20, the issue stabilised, the team told me on the radio that it was more than 100 degrees between front right and front left, which is huge. So at that moment, I understood that the best thing I can do is just to bring the car home to the checkered flag."
Ultimately, Leclerc brought his car home in P4, which is a great result considering everything. Nobody knows how the race could have gone had he not had any issue.
But overall, Leclerc's P4 with Sainz's P3 puts their team firmly into second position in the Championship after the first race of the season. The 26-year-old added:
"Considering everything, to finish fourth is a really good effort. But I'm obviously very disappointed with the results and I honestly think that second place would have been very possible today."
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