Charles Leclerc encountered persistent front-tyre locking problems at turns nine and 10, resulting in significant time loss and enabling his teammate Sainz to advance and clinch the lead Ferrari position.
Though Leclerc managed to secure fourth place ahead of Russell, it offered scant consolation to the seasoned five-time Grand Prix victor.
Leclerc expressed disappointment, feeling Ferrari had untapped pace. “Considering everything, to finish fourth is a really good effort,” he conceded.
“But I’m very disappointed with the results. I honestly think that second place would have been very possible today.”
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Reflecting on the Bahrain GP, Leclerc remarked, “I don’t think there’s anything to take out of my race.
“I’m quite surprised when I was hearing the pace at the end of the race because we were doing relatively good lap times with a car that was feeling completely out of place.”
Leclerc’s belief in Ferrari’s underlying pace raises concerns for Perez, who narrowly staved off Sainz to retain second place.
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While a clean start to the season bodes well for the Mexican, the diminishing margins between top teams demand consistent second-place finishes to replicate the previous season’s one-two finish in the Drivers’ Championship.
Approaching the final year of his Red Bull contract, the 34-year-old Perez faces pressure with contenders like Ricciardo and Tsunoda vying for his seat by season’s end.
Perez pins his hopes on Leclerc’s theory not materializing as the teams gear up for the next round in Saudi Arabia.