Charles Leclerc is known as one of the best qualifiers on the Formula 1 grid. However, he has been beaten in three consecutive qualifying sessions by his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. This includes Carlos Sainz bagging 2 poles in the last 2 races. At the Singapore GP, Charles Leclerc opened up about his struggles in the SF23. He also mentioned how the final sector was like a jungle because drivers don’t respect the Gentleman’s Agreement anymore.
“One or two people did not respect the pact”
The Singapore GP experienced a lot of traffic in the final sector during qualifying, especially in Q1. Charles Leclerc said how it was a mess because everyone was driving for their own interests.
He mentioned how there used to be a pact in Formula 1 where drivers wouldn’t overtake each other in the final sector. But 1 or 2 people started disrespecting the pact and now the whole field does it. Charles Leclerc didn’t name the two drivers.
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“One or two people did not respect this pact, and then everyone started not caring about it, and now it’s a mess because the third sector looks like a kart race. Now it’s a bit too extreme.”
The Ferrari driver concluded by saying: “I’m not saying I’ve been perfect, but now the final sector of the tracks is a jungle because we all pursue our interests to try to cross the finish line before the time runs out, but it needs to be regulated again, even though I don’t have a solution at the moment.”
Charles Leclerc and the SF23
It is very unusual for Charles Leclerc to be beaten by a teammate for 3 races in a row. It will hurt even more because Carlos Sainz took pole in 2 of those. He opened up about his struggles with the Ferrari SF23.
“Honestly, it’s not just in the recent races. It’s been all year that I’ve been struggling because we have a car that’s a bit understeery, so I have to be very aggressive on the pedal on exit, and this makes it a bit tough for me.”
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Now that Carlos Sainz has won the Singapore GP, Charles Leclerc will be eyeing a comeback at the Japanese GP.
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