Leclerc focused on resolving qualifying tyre issues ahead of Chinese GP

The tyre troubles

Charles Leclerc has identified tyre preparation as the root cause of his recent qualifying struggles.

The Monegasque driver, known for his blistering one-lap pace, has found himself uncharacteristically off the front row in the last two races – qualifying fifth in Australia and eighth in Japan.

"Race pace has not been a problem - it's my qualifying pace, which is not something that I've been very used to in my career,"

Leclerc stated, highlighting his determination to rectify the issue.

The crux of the matter

Leclerc's struggles stem from his inability to extract the optimal performance from the tyres during crucial qualifying laps.

"I've been struggling to put the tyres in the right window,"

he explained, emphasizing the fine margins involved in achieving the perfect operating temperatures.

While praising his race pace and overall weekend management, Leclerc remains laser-focused on refining his tyre preparation for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.

"This is definitely my main focus now going into Shanghai, to try and refine the right window, the tyres, and for me to put them more consistently inside that window."

Leclerc's self-awareness and willingness to confront his shortcomings are commendable traits for a top-tier driver.

"Whenever I focused on something, I improved quite quickly on it. So I'm not too concerned,"

he asserted, suggesting a proactive approach to resolving the issue.

Team principal's perspective

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur offered a balanced view of Leclerc's struggles.

While acknowledging the Monegasque's qualifying woes in Suzuka, Vasseur attributed part of the issue to strategy decisions made during the session.

"We missed a little bit the weekend with Charles yesterday was the first lap of Q1. He didn't do a mega lap, and we had to put the second set on, because we were a little bit at risk,"

Vasseur explained, adding that the team's approach in the latter stages of qualifying could have been better.

Nonetheless, Vasseur expressed confidence in Leclerc's one-lap prowess, stating,

"I'm convinced that Charles is a competitor, he is the good one on one lap qualifying, and it will be back soon."

The road ahead

With two qualifying sessions (Sprint) scheduled for the Chinese Grand Prix, Leclerc and Ferrari have ample opportunities to rectify the tyre preparation issues.

Vasseur's assurance, coupled with Leclerc's determination, signals a focused approach to reclaiming the Monegasque's qualifying dominance.