Ferrari's Canadian GP Nightmare: Leclerc's Hopes Dashed by Engine Woes and Missed Opportunities

The Canadian Grand Prix was a weekend that Ferrari and Charles Leclerc would rather forget. Ferrari’s Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur, opened up about the team’s strategic missteps and how an anticipated red flag could have changed the outcome for Leclerc.

The Early Troubles

Right from the get-go, Leclerc was in trouble. Starting from the 11th position, the Monegasque driver soon encountered a significant technical issue with his Ferrari SF-24. According to Vasseur, a malfunction cost Leclerc up to half a second per lap on the straights. As the race progressed, this time loss ballooned to over one second, severely hampering his ability to compete.

“On one side of the garage with Charles, we lost part of the power on lap two,” Vasseur disclosed. Ferrari’s initial hope was a red flag, which would allow them to reset the engine without losing track position. Unfortunately, the red flag never materialized.

Pit Stop Woes

With his pace deteriorating, Leclerc dropped out of the points positions. Ferrari decided to pit him, aiming to perform a hard reset on the car and switch to a slick tire compound as the track began to dry. This gamble soon proved costly. Another light rain shower hit the track, making conditions treacherous. Leclerc found himself a lap down, forcing another switch to Intermediate tires before ultimately retiring from the race.

Behind the Pit Wall

“We were expecting a red flag to do a power cycle and try to come back. But the red flag never happened,” Vasseur lamented. It was a stark contrast to the Monaco Grand Prix, where a red flag had offered a similar lifeline. Vasseur noted, “At one stage, we had to pit. We lost almost one lap but it was done.”

Sainz's Struggles

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz did not fare any better. A slow start relegated him to the back, and a spin saw him collide with Alex Albon’s Williams. Vasseur later revealed that Sainz’s race was further compromised by an early clash with Valtteri Bottas’ Sauber, which damaged the front wing and floor of his car. “On Carlos’ side, he was not in a good position at Turn 2,” said Vasseur.

This incident essentially ruined Sainz’s race, culminating in a double retirement for Ferrari. Vasseur refrained from delving into the technical issues but did touch on the weekend’s high expectations that ended in sheer disappointment.

Looking Ahead

It was a painful reminder of the unpredictability and harsh realities of Formula 1. For Vasseur, the key takeaway was to hope that Ferrari had exhausted its quota of bad luck for the season. “The pace was strong on Friday,” he emphasized, referring to the promising practice sessions. However, race day brought its own set of challenges. “Conditions were tricky yesterday, and I think a couple of cars suffered the same issue,” he continued.

In racing, sometimes events unfold beyond the control of the teams and drivers. Despite meticulously planning, Ferrari found itself at the mercy of circumstance in Canada. “I hope that we put all of the tough, shitty parts of the season on the same weekend,” Vasseur concluded.

As the team looks forward to the rest of the season, it’s back to the drawing board for Ferrari. He hopes for a better outcome in the upcoming races, especially with the potential they showcased during practice sessions. The Scuderia’s fans will be eager to see them bounce back, showing the true pace and performance they are capable of.