The Scuderia Ferrari squad is slowly inching toward the table toppers. The team is looking remarkable amid the car development battle. While the point difference between Ferrari and Red Bull is 24 points, it might decrease further. The technical team, after a decent home run, was adamant about making a comeback at Monaco. Thus, they implemented a few circuit-specific changes to tackle the bumpy track.
However, the race star, Charles Leclerc, was the headline after the weekend. The Monegasque racer has finally won a home race, becoming the first after Louis Chiron. While the Red Bull looked vulnerable, McLaren was constantly in the run for the top spot. Therefore, it wasn’t as easy as it seems. Charles Leclerc has given his statement on the incredible triumph.
Charles Leclerc Breaks ‘Home Curse’
The Prancing horse outgunned Red Bull and McLaren comprehensively to clinch the second silverware of the season. Ferrari and Charles Leclerc dominated the circuit from the free practice. He became the first Monegasque racer to win a home race after 93 years. In contrast to Red Bull, the Ferrari team worked well over the bumps and kerbs. Further, it allowed Leclerc to confidently attack the corners while Carlos Sainz was slightly behind. Moreover, the SF-24 was undoubtedly the strongest car, winning Leclerc’s pole position. Additionally, Charles ended Verstappen’s eight-straight pole streak. Afterward, it was a straightforward race for Leclerc as it was almost impossible to overtake on the tight corners and inconsistent cambers. However, despite the upper hand, the Ferrari driver believes Red Bull still has the fastest car, which isn’t suitable for Monaco.
Once the Monegasuqe racer cleared the checkered flag, the crowd erupted in cheers, and the racer was left speechless. Excited and joyous, he was out of words. The 26-year-old later described his victory as ‘emotional’ as he finally broke the ‘home curse.’ Further, he said while the team was in front, lapping 78 rounds on the same tires wasn’t easy. He hailed the technical team for managing the tires well, which was one of the factors. Ultimately, he claimed this to be one of the best victories and thanked everyone for their immense support throughout the weekend.
Max Verstappen Disappointed After A Shoddy Performance
On the other hand, the RB20 was sluggish over bumps and kerbs, and the technical staff was unable to enhance it. Furthermore, the bumps and difficult kerbs with camber changes were unsuited for a low-riding automobile. While the RB20 boasts an impressive aerodynamic setup, its ‘near to ground’ design meant it was likely to struggle on the rough Monte Carlo track.
Max Verstappen thinks Red Bull will be left behind in the car development war. The Ducthman’s record-breaking ninth pole was thwarted by Charles Leclerc, who went on to win the home race. However, Verstappen said the vehicle hopped like a ‘Kangaroo’ all weekend. Furthermore, the three-time world champion believes that the continuous problems are the result of the technical team’s failure to comprehend the situation.