In a surprising turn of events, Charles Leclerc has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock by declaring Ferrari’s performance during Friday’s practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix as their best showing of the entire 2023 season. This announcement has confirmed the fears of rival team Red Bull, who have been closely monitoring Ferrari’s progress.
Ferrari has struggled to make a mark on the championship this year, with Leclerc’s third-place finish in Azerbaijan being the team’s only podium result in the first seven races of the season. Since their last victory at the Austrian Grand Prix in July of the previous year, the team has been working tirelessly to regain their winning form. Their efforts culminated in a significant upgrade package that was introduced at the previous race in Spain, which included a more conventional sidepod design, in a bid to propel the Scuderia back into regular victory contention.
While the upgrades didn’t immediately translate into on-track success in Barcelona, the Ferrari team showed a marked improvement right from the beginning of the second practice session in Canada. Leclerc and his teammate Carlos Sainz traded fastest laps early on, leaving them both within the top five positions on the timesheets. Astonishingly, they even managed to outpace the dominant Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, sending shockwaves through the Red Bull camp.
As the Friday practice sessions drew to a close, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko couldn’t help but express his concern over Ferrari’s improved pace, as well as that of their main rival, Mercedes. In particular, Marko highlighted Leclerc’s impressive long run, which left a lasting impression on the Austrian. Speaking to ServusTV, Marko admitted, “Leclerc’s long run was very impressive.”
This unexpected turn of events has sparked excitement among Ferrari fans and raised hopes that the team may finally be on the cusp of a resurgence. The Canadian Grand Prix presents a crucial opportunity for the Scuderia to showcase their newfound competitiveness and potentially challenge the established dominance of Red Bull and Mercedes.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see if their strong Friday showing was merely a flash in the pan or a genuine indication of their upward trajectory. The battle for victory in Montreal promises to be intense, with Ferrari keen to prove that they are once again a force to be reckoned with in Formula 1.
