Sunday was three-quarters of a double for Ferrari. Now for the other one… Red Mist was pretty satisfied with how the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix went on Sunday, considering his brave call last week.
Sure, we never won in Jeddah. But Ferrari did at Imola. And Charles’ pace in the desert was worthy of calling it a three-quarter double. That podium was our first of the F1 season, after all.
The SF-25 and its upgrades came to Leclerc through the Jeddah weekend. There seemed a sense of desperation, when whichever way he or Lewis went, seemed not to deliver. Finally in quali there came a slight shift.
And then Charles was right there in the race. Tracking his sectors and lap times, he matched Oscar and Max, brilliantly held the Norris charge off.
Leclerc was right on it in Jeddah
In the fancied McLaren on yellows, with the Ferrari whites, mind you. So there was reason for that smile Sunday evening. Finally, again, real pace. Not the first time. This SF-25 seems to star. Late in its stints. When it’s very hot. Does that also bode well for Miami? Here’s holding thumbs!
And then Lewis. True he’s disappointed. Rightfully so, perhaps. But then there may be method in the madness of splitting set-ups as they have. Softer, more pliant for Charlie, tauter, dartier, it seems for Ginetto. Seems Charles cracked the code.
Now the only obstacle is for Hamilton to learn to drive it like Leclerc. Suppose that simulator will be humming at Maranello over the next fortnight. It’s that and Enzo’s mattress for Lewis this next two weeks. If he really must succeed…
The KTM MotoGP phenomenon
An interesting aside on this split set-up. Like Ferrari, KTM seemed stymied for a while in MotoGP. Then they threw the bones. Took their four machines in different directions. It paid off for Maverick. Whatever they did there, worked. Beyond that tyre pressure issue. So expect to see four orange machines a bit sharper next time.
It seems the split has worked for both KTM and Ferrari now. Let’s see if we can have two red cars at the sharp end at Miami. Just hope that sim is singing in Maranello!
Before I go, what about AF Corse Ferrari in the WEC? Double wins off pole, one of the wins a 1-2-3, and Sunday looked on for a 1-2 too. Spa next, then Le Mans. Is a 499P 24 Hour hat trick in the offing? Well, let’s just keep on dreaming… Forza!
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