Facing extreme weather conditions at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Charles Leclerc treated the qualifying session as a vital technical laboratory. Although the Monegasque driver faces a 10-place grid penalty due to an internal combustion engine change, he chose to focus on refining the car's handling in wet conditions.
Leclerc, who initially secured fourth place on track but is slated to start 14th, utilized the compromised session to experiment with wing angles and steering wheel tools. This approach aims to address the consistent struggles he has faced driving Ferrari machinery in the rain—a stark contrast to the comfort he enjoyed in his junior racing categories.
"This was a much more positive qualifying session than the final result suggests. While I am not satisfied with the starting position, I believe it was a session where the team and I learned a great deal. Knowing about the penalty, I decided to be more aggressive with my experimental adjustments. After nine years at Ferrari, I must admit I have struggled in the wet, but today, in certain moments, I finally felt a very good connection with the car," Leclerc told the media.
Amidst the technical focus, Leclerc also addressed his team dynamics with teammate Lewis Hamilton. Following their recent collision in Mexico, the duo held clear-the-air talks to diffuse tensions. "I believe discussion is always necessary, but we shouldn't drag it on for too long. We spoke with Lewis, and that is what matters most for clarity. We don't have to agree on everything, but it is important to close this chapter," he stated.
Despite the steep climb ahead from the back of the grid, these experimental findings are expected to provide Ferrari with the necessary data to improve consistency in wet weather. With Hamilton also relegated to 20th, the Maranello squad faces a difficult race weekend, yet one that serves as a building block for their future performance.
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