Leclerc and Vasseur Warn: Ferrari's Practice Dominance No Guarantee for Qualifying
Charles Leclerc and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur urge caution ahead of Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, stating that Friday's strong performance does not ensure success on Saturday.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and team principal Fred Vasseur emphasize that the team's impressive showing in Friday's practice sessions for the Hungarian Grand Prix does not guarantee an easy path to pole position. Despite Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc securing the top two spots in the second practice session, the team remains grounded ahead of Saturday's qualifying, which starts at 5:00 PM local time in Latvia.
Leclerc told Sky Sports that qualifying will be tight. "I don't expect us to have the same advantage as we had in practice. We need to execute everything perfectly," he said. The driver noted that Friday went well overall, but teams typically make a performance leap from Friday to Saturday, which could reshape the competitive landscape.
Vasseur echoed the caution, saying, "On Friday, you don't win pole, and even less the race. It will be a different story." He highlighted tire management as a key factor, noting that soft compound tires are prone to overheating and degradation. "It's difficult to keep the tires alive for the entire lap. If you start losing, you lose a lot," Vasseur explained.
Ferrari has already secured several wins this season, but the team recognizes that the Hungaroring often delivers surprises. Leclerc and his teammate Carlos Sainz will be among the favorites, but rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes could capitalize on any mistakes.
