Ferrari’s Frustrating Canadian Grand Prix: Engine Issues and Red Flag Hopes
Ferrari Team Principal Speaks Out on Disappointing Race
Formula 1 news today reveals that Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has spoken out about the team’s disappointing Canadian Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc’s engine issues hampered his chances of a strong finish. The Monegasque driver’s Ferrari SF-24 car developed a technical defect on lap two, costing him up to five-tenths on the straights and eventually over one second. (Formula 1 news, June 9, 2024)
“On one side of the garage with Charles, we had, on lap two, we lost part of the power,” he told RacingNews365. “We were expecting a red flag to do a power cycle and to try to come back. But the red flag never happened.”
Despite pitting Leclerc to complete a hard reset and switching him onto a slick compound as the track dried, another lighter rain shower made the conditions too treacherous. Leclerc ended up a lap down before reverting to Intermediates and eventually retiring. (Formula 1 tyres)
Team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr.’s Wretched Race
Meanwhile, team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr. endured a wretched race, starting slow and spinning to collect Alex Albon’s Williams. Sainz’s exit resigned Ferrari to a double retirement, with Vasseur revealing that the Spaniard’s outing had been hampered by a clash with Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas.
“On Carlos’ side, he was not in a good position at Turn 2,” Vasseur added. “And at one stage, I don’t remember exactly when because the race was quite long, but the contact with Bottas, it damaged the front wing and the floor.”
Vasseur remained tight-lipped about the issues that contributed to Ferrari’s inability to deliver on its pre-weekend expectations as the leading contender. He lamented the setbacks that prevented either driver from showcasing the squad’s true potential and hopes that the team has now used up all its misfortune this term.
Looking Ahead to the Next Race
Looking ahead to the next race, Vasseur expressed, “The pace was strong on Friday. Conditions were tricky yesterday, and I think a couple of cars suffered the same issue, I won’t go deep into details. But we were quite confident with the race for today. The issue is the beginning, everything went wrong. I hope that we put all of the tough, shitty parts of the season on the same weekend.”
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