Ferrari can finish third in the constructors’ championship this weekend if they beat McLaren in Saudi Arabia. But neither Carlos Sainz nor Charles Leclerc were confident about their chances – while McLaren drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris seemed to be starting the race in Jeddah …
Sainz has scored points on all but two weekends this season, and these feats have helped Ferrari stay 39.5 points ahead of McLaren in the battle for P3. This weekend, Scuderia will have to overtake their rivals by five points to finish third – but Sainz said it won’t be easy.
FORM GUIDE: Who wants to do well at the brand new Saudi Arabia Grand Prix?
“We have to beat them by four or five points this weekend I think, which seems like a likely scenario given the recent results. But we have to remember that McLaren has been in combat in every race we have. ” I exceeded them.
“It’s not that we were on an easy path to beat them before their difficulties in the last three races, so it was still very close. We just managed to make fewer mistakes, all with both cars and beat them. But I have a feeling they have the faster car here and will likely bring the fight to Abu Dhabi. “
Charles Leclerc: “Anything can happen” for Ferrari on the unpredictable route in Jeddah
Teammate Leclerc agreed when evaluating the characteristics of the super fast, brand new Jeddah Corniche Circuit, saying, “On paper it looks like it won’t be one of our best tracks as there are obviously very long straights and very high speed . ” Track, but on the other hand it’s a city track where anything can happen.
“Hopefully we as drivers can make the difference and yes, I’m just really looking forward to trying this track for the first time tomorrow,” said Leclerc.
As for rival Norris, just one point ahead of Leclerc in the drivers’ standings, he said McLaren enters Saudi Arabia with optimism – even if the odds of third are against them.
READ MORE: Norris feels ready to win races in 2022 as McLaren has outperformed Ferrari this season
“Yes, I would say that, I think we have to be [confident]Said Norris. “I don’t think it makes sense to come here thinking we’re going to have a terrible weekend; even if we do, we cannot think it! I think it’s better to be positive and confident because we still have some catching up to do and I think it’s good to end this season well no matter where we stop …
“I am confident,” he added. “I think I’m personally confident that it’s a track that suits me and a little bit my driving style, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Daniel Ricciardo: “Faster” Jeddah track “definitely hairy in some places”
Teammate Ricciardo failed in the triple header of the races outside Saudi Arabia and is looking for redemption in Jeddah – especially since he did not do so well on street circuits this season (P9 in Azerbaijan and P12 in Monaco).
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“I think I definitely had challenges this year and I think the street circuits have probably been unusually strong for me this year, so it’s nice to have another chance.
“I was pretty excited on the track today and did a bit of simulator during the week. So I’m looking forward to the first laps,” concluded the Australian.
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https://formulaone.news/ferrari/dakar-2022-stage-9-held-stays-in-the-top-20-while-noah-fights
