F1
Leclerc frustrated by brake problems: “We were completely stationary the whole race”
© Xavi Bonilla / DPPI
A bitter first for Charles Leclerc in 2024. The Monegasque, fourth in the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain, experienced a laborious race with a Ferrari SF-24 that was capricious to drive. The reason ? A brake temperature problem, with which the driver of the Team had to fight on Saturday on the Sakhir track.
“We were completely at a standstill the entire race. We had a problem with the brakes, it didn't brake on the right and a lot on the left, so I had to drive with a brake distribution that was completely stupid (sic), he explained on Canal+. We maximized what we had today, but it's disappointing. It was an opportunity to take points in the championship and we didn't do it. I am very disappointed. »
Leclerc sees Red Bull “more takeable” than in 2023
In difficulty during the first twenty laps of the race, Charles Leclerc was not able to defend his second position and had to give way successively to George Russell, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Pérez. If the Monegasque was able to regain rhythm at the end of the race and get rid of the Briton, he was not able to get back on his two other opponents of the day, while Max Verstappen flew to an easy victory at the front.
“I tried to defend myself but it was very complicated because as soon as I braked, it turned to the right quite violently, confided number 16. I tried to do what I could, but it was difficult to stay in control of the car. The brakes did something different every time I braked. In short… disappointing. » A frustration amplified by the fact that the five-time Grand Prix winner had placed most of his marbles on the race, the main shortcoming of the previous Ferrari last season.
«[Red Bull] have a nice margin, but I have the impression that they are more takeable than last year, underlines Charles Leclerc. I was pretty confident going into this race, so that's why I'm so frustrated. We had done everything to put ourselves in good conditions for the race, even in terms of settings. I was looking forward to seeing what we could have done today but unfortunately, we won't see it. We will wait for Jeddah. »
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Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
03/03/2024 at 03:02 a.m.
At a standstill throughout the race, yes indeed when we watch TV... but in the end, the Scuderia is the first of the others, making 3 and 4! It could have been a much worse start to the season