Scuderia Ferrari leaves Imola with a strong sense of motivation

Both qualifying and the race of the 2021 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna left the Scuderia Ferrari team with the feeling of what could have been? Charles Leclerc was overtaken by Lando Norris when the safety car was restarted, he ultimately lost a podium and Carlos Sainz Jr. made a trip off the track under the changeable conditions.

Leclerc felt it was a frustrating, incidental race. The Monegasque driver was in a really good spot before the red flag passed Valtteri Bottas Collision with George Russell and this obliterated any advantage that had been built up.

“It was an interesting race, if a little frustrating, because I was in a really good place in front of the red flag, which ruined the advantage we had built up in the first part of the race.”

Unfortunately for Leclerc after restarting the SF21 is vulnerable on the straights so it was difficult to fight Lando Norris on the way into Turn 1. Ferrari had played a bit to be faster in the wet, but when the track dried out it was more difficult in the second part of the race.

“Unfortunately I had problems after the restart because I was vulnerable in the straights and it was difficult to fight against others or to defend myself. In fact, we played a bit with a little more downforce, which helped us in the rain, but made it more difficult for us when it was dry in the second part of the race. “

Ultimately, Leclerc is very happy with his overall performance from the weekend and there is a lot of motivation from the team as there has been significant progress within the team and if it stays that way, the former Formula 2 champion is sure it won’t be for a long time before we see the famous red cars at the front of the grid again.

“Overall, I am very satisfied with the performance we had today. There is definitely a lot of motivation. We’re fighting for more interesting positions now and that’s positive. We have worked well and if we continue like this I am sure that we will soon be fighting for the top spots. “

“My pace was very strong in the wet and very solid even in the dry, so I’m happy with it” – Carlos Sainz

Photo credit: Scuderia Ferrari Mission press office in Winnow

After some off-track activities, Carlos Sainz can be very happy with fifth place and keep the battle for the constructors’ championship between the McLaren F1 Team and himself alive.

Sainz thought it was a very solid race. The starting conditions were very difficult for all drivers with poor visibility, but the Spaniard defied the conditions and was able to make up many positions after the start. This was his wet first time in the SF21 so it was a steep learning curve and taking these risks above paid off, although some positions were lost due to some lost positions.

“That was a very solid race today. The conditions at the start were very difficult, with very poor visibility, but I decided to go for it and managed to make up quite a lot of positions after the start. This was the second race and my first time in the wet with the car, which was an unknown situation to me, but taking risks and finding the limit paid off, although I lost the race time with a few mistakes here and there. “

Sainz felt that his pace was very strong in both wet and dry conditions. This is very gratifying for Sainz, who has felt relatively comfortable throughout the race and to finish six positions is a great result. From now on it is important that the Spaniard keep working with his head down and working on that trajectory he is currently on, as this is the right one.

“My pace was very strong in the wet and very solid in the dry, so I’m happy with it. I felt very comfortable the whole time and it’s encouraging to start in eleventh with fifth place. I just have to keep my head down and keep working in that direction because I think it’s the right one.

Earning good scores from both cars was a brilliant result for the team and keeps hopes for a third end of the Constructors’ Championship alive.

“Earning solid points today was definitely good for the team and I’m very happy with the colon finish.”