Ferrari at a loss to elucidate Charles Leclerc’s Hungarian GP collapse

The Ferrari Method 1 group says it would want a full investigation into Charles Leclerc’s unspecified automotive downside that noticed him lose a Hungarian Grand Prix podium.

Leclerc took a shock pole over McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, earlier than main the opening phases of Sunday’s 70-lap contest. He appeared set to at the very least end on the rostrum till his SF-25 dramatically misplaced efficiency throughout the ultimate stint. 

That included dropping behind each McLarens by greater than 35 seconds, plus Mercedes’ George Russell late on, and Ferrari was stunned by Leclerc’s sudden downfall. 

Its driver initially thought Ferrari had made a entrance wing adjustment in the course of the second and closing pitstop that destroyed his automotive stability, however later corrected himself after being knowledgeable of the inherent automotive downside.

Crew principal Fred Vasseur stated on Sunday night time it was too early to conclude what the precise problem was, however he prompt that the extent of Leclerc’s tempo loss went far past its traditional measures to guard in opposition to plank put on within the latter half of a grand prix.

“As soon as we misplaced the tempo [in previous races], we misplaced two or three tenths. As we speak we misplaced two seconds. A bit completely different,” Vasseur claimed.

“The final stint was a catastrophe, very tough to drive, the stability was not there, and truthfully we do not know precisely what’s occurred thus far.

“We’ve to research if we have now one thing damaged on the chassis facet. At one stage I assumed that we’d by no means end the race, that we have been fortunate to attain factors for fourth. It is stunning, as a result of if we had recognized earlier than [we would have solved it].”

Leclerc was additionally adamant Hungary was an remoted incident. “No, it was a one-off,” he stated. “We have to have a look at it for it to by no means ever occur once more, as a result of the automotive was simply undriveable. However I do not suppose it is one thing that we’ll have anyplace else once more.”

Russell, in the meantime, stated Mercedes suspected Ferrari’s well-documented trip peak points have been behind Leclerc’s downfall.

Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton was disqualified in China for extreme plank put on, and Ferrari has since needed to take measures to forestall additional authorized hassle, together with elevating the automotive, lowering engine modes and growing tyre pressures to forestall its vehicles from bottoming out a lot.

“The one factor we will consider is that they have been working the automotive too low to the bottom, and so they needed to enhance the tyre pressures for the final stint,” Russell instructed Sky.

“As a result of they have been utilizing an engine mode that was making the engine slower on the finish of the straight, which is the place you could have probably the most quantity of plank put on.”