After a thrilling podium finish, Charles Leclerc is tempering expectations, while Lewis Hamilton sees Ferrari on the rise.
Ferrari's strategic shift in development has sparked a mix of anticipation and caution within the team. They made the bold decision to halt development earlier than their rivals. But, how has this played out? Last week's United States Grand Prix saw Charles Leclerc secure his first podium since Belgium. This achievement, marking his and Ferrari's sixth podium of the season, with five third-place finishes and a second place in Monaco, is a testament to their resilience.
Leclerc, however, is realistic about the challenges ahead, stating, "I am not surprised by the fact we are missing a bit more performance going throughout the end of the year..." He points out that teams like Mercedes and Red Bull likely pushed their development further into the season. But here's where it gets controversial... Leclerc notes that the performance gap to McLaren has remained relatively constant. He's focusing on the next season, hoping for significant improvements.
Ferrari's strategy of early development cessation allowed them to focus on optimizing procedures and setups. This approach led to Leclerc's positive result in Austin. He acknowledged the team's efforts, saying, "It has been a long time, and it’s good for everybody in the team to finally see a little bit of improvement."
On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton, still seeking his first podium with Ferrari, mirrored his best result of the season with a fourth-place finish. Hamilton's optimistic outlook, especially after a positive weekend, suggests he's gaining confidence in the car. He believes Ferrari is on the right track, emphasizing the need for patience and observation to understand the team's strengths and weaknesses. He added, "I feel like we’re going in the right direction, and I think – Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it takes time to build."
What do you think? Do you believe Ferrari's approach is the right one? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Did they make the right decision stopping the development early?
