Source – Formula1.com
On the first day of practice for the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari gave the Tifosi reason for hope as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished in the top five in both sessions.
Ferrari’s home Grand Prix at Monza began with encouraging signs as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz delivered promising performances in Friday’s practice sessions. Leclerc, who secured the second-fastest time in the opening practice, maintained his competitive edge by finishing fifth in FP2. Sainz, who initially placed fourth, moved up to third by the end of the second session, trailing only Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Leclerc, reflecting on the day’s sessions, expressed cautious optimism about Ferrari’s prospects. “It was quite a positive Friday,” Leclerc said. “The new parts we brought to the car seem to be working well, which is encouraging. However, there’s still work to be done. We cannot rely solely on a strong Friday performance; we need to address balance issues to ensure a solid weekend.”
The Monegasque driver acknowledged that while Ferrari showed improvements, the competition remains fierce. “We are closer than we were in Zandvoort,” Leclerc noted. “McLaren and Mercedes are very strong, but we are more in the fight than before. That’s a good sign for Saturday, and hopefully, we can maintain this momentum into the race.”
Sainz also provided insight into the challenges posed by the revamped Monza circuit. The Spaniard highlighted the impact of the new track surface and updated kerbs on the car’s handling. “It was a very challenging day for everyone,” Sainz said. “The track feels completely different this year due to the new surface. The car feels on edge in medium-speed corners, and braking into Turn 1 is tricky.”
Despite experiencing flashes of speed, Sainz noted inconsistencies in the car’s performance. “We were quick on medium tyres but less so on softs, and struggled with graining on long runs,” he explained. “It will be interesting to see how teams adapt and who can make the most of the information gathered today.”
As Ferrari aims to capitalize on their home advantage, both Leclerc and Sainz are focused on fine-tuning their setups and navigating the complexities of the updated Monza circuit. With the weekend’s sessions promising more competitive action, Ferrari fans are hopeful for a strong showing as the Scuderia looks to turn their recent fortunes around.
