Ferrari between satisfaction and realism after Hungarian qualifying

The progress is there but remains relative. It must be recognized, however, that the Ferrari SF1000 did not appear to be in as much difficulty in qualifying at the Hungaroring as during the first two rounds of the Red Bull Ring earlier this month.

On a more tortuous route than in the green valleys of Styria, the red single-seaters suffered less from their engine performance deficit, Sebastian Vettel et Charles Leclerc completing qualification for the Hungarian Grand Prix in 5th and 6th positions.

With obvious points of satisfaction for both drivers. “It’s much better than the previous weekend, for the first time we have both cars in Q3, deciphers Vettel after today's session.

The car was also better balanced, so I think we are much closer to those around us, like Racing Point, Red Bull and even McLaren. This is positive and we must make sure we continue this. Now all that matters is preparing for tomorrow's race. »

Strategic move to come?

The two Ferraris will start the race on soft tires, and will try to take advantage of this advantage against the four cars preceding them on the grid, namely the two Mercedes W11 and the two Racing Point RP20s, which will start on medium tires.

“The tire factor will be crucial because we are on a different strategy because we had to put on softs to get into Q3, recalls Vettel. It will be an interesting race tomorrow and I don't know if the weather could play a role, so we have to make sure we are ready and do our job. »

And above all not to relive the nightmare of the last Styrian Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc destroyed the race of the two Ferraris on the first lap. “I forgot what happened at the start in Styria, but I learn from my mistakes, advances the Monegasque on this subject.

Tomorrow, I will definitely be more relaxed at the start. Usually from Friday to Sunday the soft tires improve a lot. I hope this will happen tomorrow too to have an advantage over Racing Point and Mercedes who are starting with medium tyres. »

However, caution is required within the Scuderia, which has not hidden its weaknesses since the start of the season, despite advanced developments last week. “You can always hope, the question is whether your hope is realistic, says Vettel.

I'm here to race, we're here to race and here to win so right now it's not like we have the pace to dominate and win on our own but we'll see what happens tomorrow. »