Charles Leclerc Contradicts Carlos Sainz’s Optimism While Still Looking Forward to a Better 2024

The Maranello team would be kicking themselves after a disappointing 2023 campaign. Apart from Red Bull’s dominance, Ferrari was consistently beaten by Aston Martin in the early part of the season, Mercedes during the middle, and McLaren by the end. To top it all off, it missed out on P2 in the Constructors’ Championship, along with millions of dollars, to Mercedes by the barest of margins.

That being said, Ferrari did try to make some changes to the SF-23 and make it more competitive. While one driver felt the changes and upgrades paid dividends, the other was not so impressed. However, one thing is almost certain: 2024 looks more optimistic for the Tifosi. In an interview with the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Charles Leclerc highlighted the highs and lows of the 2023 season.

“It was not a good season because our car was not as good as expected. On the other hand, we also learned a lot for 2024. And that’s the best can hope for in a difficult year.” He continued, “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to change much this season, but in the medium term, we are now able to take a step forward. I’m reasonably happy with myself.” [Translated by Google] Despite these difficulties, Leclerc did manage to finish in an impressive P5 in the Drivers’ Championship, a mere point behind two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.

However, his comments were in complete contrast to the only non-Red Bull race winner this season (who happens to be his teammate), Carlos Sainz. Speaking to Motorsport.com, Carlos also commented on Ferrari’s 2023 season and the progression of the SF-23. “This year, especially in the second half, we tried to maximize our potential, and in this sense, we did a better job. It’s almost incredible that such obvious performance changes can occur, but it’s today’s F1.” 

Read More: Charles Leclerc Counts on Red Bull’s Downfall for Ferrari’s ‘Fortunate’ Rise to World Champions

The Scuderia started the season on the back foot, losing out to both Aston Martin and Mercedes. Had it not been for the regular upgrades the SF-23 got, who knows? Maybe Ferrari wouldn’t have been the team to break Red Bull’s winning streak. On the other hand, the Maranello team expected to start the season as it did in 2022, that is, at the front of the field. But as Charles Leclerc said, the car just wasn’t as good as Ferrari wanted it to be. While Carlos Sainz felt the SF-23 improved with time, Charles Leclerc didn’t share the same emotions to a large extent. However, there’s one thing that both these drivers don’t disagree on, though—the optimism they have for the SF-24.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz prepare for a “different” SF-24

Both Ferrari drivers have already gotten access to the simulator of the next year’s challenger. Speaking optimistically about the SF-24, Charles Leclerc commented, “I am 100% convinced that we will take a step forward from the next year.” He continues, “As we understood our weak points step by step, the factory fully responded.”

Carlos Sainz already believes the SF-24 feels very different. He believes that some compromises might be made to achieve the difference in performance that the Maranello team has achieved. “The 2024 car certainly behaves differently than the SF-23,” he said. “I think that if we want to have a car for the whole year, perhaps we have to give up some of these features [of the SF-23] to make sure we are fast everywhere, especially in the race.” After all, Carlos Sainz has claimed that only Ferrari can beat Red Bull, and he needs the car to back it up.

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Could ’24 be the year Charles Leclerc finally inches towards his championship dreams? Or will Sainz come and grasp that dream away from him? Or will the team from Austria with two consecutive Constructors’ titles have something to say about these dreams? We will know in a few months.