It has therefore been a very positive start to the Grand Prix for the home drivers, who have not dropped out of the top six at any time so far. Sainz was again among the best, in fourth position, with Verstappen and Alonso behind him. In the afternoon, George Russell took the chequered flag in second position, followed by team-mate Lewis Hamilton. In the morning run, Max Verstappen was also strong, in third position, followed by George Russell and Fernando Alonso. The young drivers tested only in FP1, in line with the new regulations introduced by the FIA to help ensure more mileage for the young drivers. The usual F1 line-up was slightly modified with the participation of Juri Vips with Red Bull and Nyck de Vries with Williams. In the morning session, he was joined in the spotlight by Carlos Sainz, less than a tenth of a second off the pace. The Monegasque set the fastest time of the day (1:19.670) in the second free practice session, although he was also quickest in the morning. Whether or not it is thanks to these changes, it is a fact that Charles Leclerc is continuing his intensive work. On the other side of the coin is Alpine, which are presenting their candidature with some adaptation parts, but no evolutions. Aston Martin, on the other hand, is presenting a virtually new car with many changes.

Ferrari, so far the Manufacturers’ World Championship leader, has brought in a new package of upgrades, while its main rival Red Bull has also done the same, significantly lowering the weight of their car. The vast majority of the teams have come to Barcelona with many improvements. The FIA published early in the morning a list of evolutions and new parts brought by the teams of the World Championship. If Fridays at the Grand Prix are designed and intended for testing, today the Circuit has allowed to continue with this line, adopting a particularly important role in this mission. Charles Leclerc was the best performer on this first day of testing, taking a double first position in the two free practice sessions held. And they did it in front of a crowd of 54,134 people, who did not want to miss the first day of activity on the Circuit’s track. Scoring a P2 finish in the Constructors’ Championship is now the height of what is possible for Ferrari in F1 2023, with the gap to Mercedes who currently hold that spot standing at 56 points.The FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2022 has made its protagonists face the demands of the world championship track of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the first time in this 32 nd edition. “We had other priorities, and we probably still have them, we are just focusing on what is really important, which is to get back to being competitive as quickly as possible.” I can’t add much because there have been no negotiations yet, apart from a few jokes.

“It is clear that within the team no one is happy with the situation we are in, but I feel at home here. “I have always loved Ferrari, and it has always been my dream to be where I am today,” said Leclerc. Leclerc said references to a new Ferrari deal have not gone beyond a “few jokes” at this stage, but he knows the team has other ongoing priorities to address before that, and so at this stage is not stressing too much over the situation.Ī key priority of course is to find performance as Red Bull continue to blitz all competition, boasting a perfect record of 12 wins from 12 in F1 2023.

“I want that more than anything else, so if there is the slightest opportunity that can happen, I will have no doubts and push to stay where I am.” recommendsį1 driver contracts: What is the current contract status of every driver on the 2023 grid?į1 points all-time rankings: Where do Hamilton, Verstappen and Alonso feature? “I think every driver considers all the different options, but in my case the first dream is to become World Champion with Ferrari,” Leclerc told. While Ferrari are yet to provide the machinery which could allow Leclerc to sustain a title challenge, it remains very much the goal of the Monégasque driver to take Ferrari back to the pinnacle of Formula 1, the team having not tasted title success since 2008.īut, with his future at this point uncertain, he must weigh up all possibilities, with the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin having been credited as potential future homes. Charles Leclerc cannot turn blind eye to options Leclerc climbed through the Ferrari Driver Academy ranks to graduate into Formula, joining the Ferrari line-up for the following season where he has gone on to achieve 20 pole positions and five grand prix wins.īut, with his Ferrari contract set to expire at the end of the 2024 campaign, talks are yet to begin over fresh terms. While reiterating his desire for title glory with Ferrari, Charles Leclerc said, as is the case with all Formula 1 drivers, he must be open to “different options”.

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