Leclerc praises Ferrari’s ‘homework’ amid Sprint tyre gamble

Charles Leclerc expressed satisfaction with Ferrari’s tyre choice for the Zandvoort Sprint, where he started on soft tyres while most rivals opted for mediums. The Monegasque driver overtook McLaren’s Lando Norris on Lap 18 to secure second place, crediting the team’s pre-race analysis. Leclerc acknowledged the risk of being the only driver on softs but said the decision proved correct. He noted that the car’s performance in Friday practice gave the team confidence in the strategy.

Leclerc admitted surprise at gaining positions late in the Sprint despite the softer tyre’s expected degradation. He highlighted Norris’s limited straight-line speed as a key factor in the overtake. The Ferrari driver stressed that the soft tyres were more advantageous at the start, contrary to expectations of early gains. His remarks underscored the team’s focus on data-driven decisions during the race weekend.

The result marked a strong start to the second half of the season for Leclerc and Ferrari. He described the car’s handling as consistent since Friday practice, boosting confidence ahead of the main race. The positive Sprint result followed a challenging first half of the year for the team. Leclerc’s comments reflected optimism about the team’s ability to refine their approach moving forward.

Lewis Hamilton finished sixth in the Sprint, citing discomfort with his Mercedes car’s balance. The seven-time World Champion noted persistent issues from Friday’s Sprint Qualifying into Saturday. Hamilton admitted overtaking was difficult, even with similar tyres, and suggested setup changes were needed. He expressed hope that adjustments would improve the car’s performance for the main race.