A “positive Friday” for Ferrari at Suzuka, despite the difficulties

Discreet and studious Friday near Ferrari at Suzuka. There Team was absent from the top of the table during Free Practice 2 of the Japanese Grand Prix, contested in wet conditions with intermediates. With a 6th place for Carlos Sainz and an 11th position for Charles Leclerc, the Italian team found itself far from its usual standards in FP2.

Nothing to worry the two drivers, starting with the Monegasque. Victim of a mishap in the gravel outside the hairpin, the three-time winner this season complained for a long time about a car that was uncomfortable to drive. However, at the end of this first day, Charles Leclerc did not seem so concerned. “FP1 was fun! In FP2, I didn't have any more tires, so I had less fun. But overall it was a pretty good day. The feeling with the car is good, we just have to put everything together tomorrow (Saturday). »

Out of the top 10 during the 2nd free practice session, the Scuderia driver expects improvements with milder conditions on Saturday and Sunday. “ The 2nd session was very difficult because the tires were completely worn out, but there is a lot to learn from today for the race in particular. It's a positive Friday and we'll see tomorrow, because the conditions will change a lot. FP3 will be about adapting to these new conditions as quickly as possible. »

Red Bull advantage according to Ferrari

On the other side of the garage, Carlos Sainz was able to string together 26 laps of the Japanese track. Lacking confidence in Singapore, the Spaniard was able to get his bearings on the wet track at Suzuka. “It's not ideal, but at least the conditions were fairly consistent today when it was wet, confided the Ferrari driver after FP2. This allows us to do some tests that we never have the opportunity to do in these conditions, it's always interesting. I always drive in the wet because I think you can always learn something and you can always learn something from the car, from driving. »

Sainz, however, maintained that Red Bull still held an advantage at Suzuka. Ferrari would therefore be in an underdog position before qualifying. “I think Red Bull is fast everywhere: wet, dry, slow circuits, fast, straights, slow corners. They are fast everywhere with the package they have now. But we are also very fast, so it will be about who nails the weekend and who has that last tenth ahead of the rest. » In Japan, Ferrari will aim for two points after Charles Leclerc's pole position in Singapore.

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