Charles Leclerc (4th/Ferrari): “We’re paying the price for it”

After just six laps, Charles Leclerc was Ferrari’s sole representative on the track at the Spanish Grand Prix. His team-mate Lewis Hamilton retired early with brake problems. On paper, Leclerc’s race looked better to fans tuning in late than it ultimately was at the finish line: As the only driver at the front of the field, Leclerc did not pit for a tyre change during the virtual safety car period from lap 15 onwards (triggered by Stroll’s crash). As a result, he appeared to be leading the field, but still had to pit and ultimately finished fourth.

Ferrari held off his pit stop for quite a long time in the hope that perhaps another virtual or normal safety car period might occur, during which the pit stop would cost less time (20 vs. 13 seconds in Madrid). Or perhaps in the hope of a red flag, which would have spared Leclerc the pit stop altogether. But the plan didn’t work out; the race ran without incident in the closing stages. On lap 49 of 57, Leclerc made his pit stop, came out in fourth place – and crossed the finish line in the same position.

“What are we actually fighting for?” asked Leclerc

At one point, Leclerc asked his race engineer over the radio what they were actually fighting for. Leclerc said after the race: “We didn’t talk much during the race because I wanted as little communication as possible on this circuit. But at one point I checked in to make sure I understood what we were fighting for.” It was fourth place – and ended up being fourth place. No podium, but at least a decent haul of points.

The Monegasque driver on his race in Madrid: “The pace was good overall on the hard tyres. On the soft tyres at the end, I couldn’t really push for other reasons. So the first stint was good, but we’re paying the price for our qualifying pace. When you start further back, it’s naturally difficult in the race.” Leclerc had started in fifth place. And, as feared, overtaking on the Madrid circuit was extremely difficult.

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