Ferrari faces difficulties in the Japanese Grand Prix
The Ferrari duo, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, will start in fourth and eighth place, respectively, for the 53-lap race on Sunday. The Italian team has struggled to keep up with Oracle Red Bull Racing and even been slower than their rivals from McLaren.
The performance this weekend is very different from the results of the previous Australian Grand Prix, where Sainz led Leclerc in a surprising Ferrari one-two after Max Verstappen’s early retirement.
But the lack of speed at the Suzuka International Racing Circuit does not surprise the Italian team. Sainz mentioned to Sky Sports F1 that they did not expect to be competing for top positions from the start.
He said, “Especially after the third free practice, we realized we didn’t have the same speed as in the first free practice and we knew it would be a challenging weekend. We managed to progress in qualifying, but Lando being two tenths ahead for third place is a lot for Suzuka. Normally, the differences are very small. Two tenths was too big.”
“But I did some great laps in qualifying and I’m happy with my performance. It’s still a track where Ferrari is not the fastest car, and we know why,” added the Spaniard.
Despite this, the recent race winner hopes to gain positions during the race. He continued, “We had better race pace this weekend, but I don’t know if it will be enough. I hope we can compete with McLaren in the race, because it was impossible in qualifying.
“It would be nice to have a battle for the podium between Lando, me, Fernando, and Mercedes behind. It should be an interesting fight for the podium. Unfortunately, the Red Bulls seem to be in a different league here,” said Sainz.
When asked about his frustration expressed on the team radio after qualifying, Leclerc stated that he left the track feeling confused as to why he was so far behind in terms of lap times.
He said: “It’s one of those sessions. Maybe it happens once a season. But it definitely doesn’t feel good.
“Everything seems to be fine. The balance isn’t that bad… if I trust the feeling of the car, I think it’s a good lap. And then you look at the times and you’re a second behind.
“I tried many different things today and none of them worked. So, for now, I don’t have an answer,” concluded the Monegasque.
Leclerc seems less hopeful about his chances of moving up in the race. He said: “The race pace looks good. I just hope we have the opportunity to overtake, because it will be very difficult on a track like this. So, I will do my best and we’ll see.”
The Japanese Grand Prix starts at 06:00 GMT (14:00 local time) on Sunday, April 7.
2024
Soccer fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2026 World Cup. As the competition approaches, national teams are preparing to face the best teams in the world. However, one team that always stands out is Brazil.
Brazil is known for its passion for soccer and for producing some of the best players in the world. With names like Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, and Philippe Coutinho, the Brazilian national team is always one of the favorites to win the World Cup.
Furthermore, Brazil has an impressive history in the competition. They have already won the tournament five times and are always considered a threat to any team they face. With a fast and skillful playing style, Brazilian players are capable of unbalancing any match.
However, the Brazilian team cannot get too confident. The 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the most competitive in history. Teams like Germany, Argentina, and France are also vying for the title and will not make it easy for Brazil.
Nevertheless, Brazilian fans are confident that their team can bring home the hexacampeonato. With an experienced coach and a talented squad, Brazil has all the conditions to achieve success in the 2026 World Cup.
The competition will take place in various cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it even more exciting. Football fans will have the opportunity to watch great matches and see the biggest stars of the sport up close.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, all eyes are on Brazil. Will they be able to win another title and become the most successful team in the competition’s history? Fans will have to wait to find out, but one thing is certain: Brazilian football always provides excitement and spectacle.
