Ferrari: ‘Very Disappointing’ Qualifying At Monza Is ‘Hardly Surprising’

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel will start the Italian GP 13th and 17th on the grid, respectively.

Scuderia Ferrari had an abysmal showing in qualifying at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, with neither of its cars making it into the top 10 at its home race for the first time since 1984.

Charles Leclerc dragged his car into the second part of qualifying and will start in 13th position.

READ: ‘Sebastian Never Caused Any Trouble’: Ex-Ferrari Chairman Defends Vettel

Meanwhile, four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel was knocked out in the first segment and will start the race down in P17.

After qualifying, Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies described their lack of pace at Monza as “very disappointing”, but added that it hasn’t come as a surprise to the Maranello-based team due to the characteristics of the circuit.

“The result is very disappointing but unfortunately, hardly surprising. As was the case in Spa a week ago, we knew that on tracks like these, with characteristics that highlight our car’s weaknesses, we would struggle.

“Now we and the drivers have to focus to be as well prepared as possible for tomorrow’s race, ready to make the most of any opportunity that could come our way,” Mekies said.

Continuing, he added, “That’s for right now, but even more importantly, we must continue to work hard to improve the car for this season and the next.”

Mekies said there was “one ray of sunshine” for Ferrari, with Mick Schumacher – the son of Michael Schumacher – taking his first win of the Formula Two season at Monza.

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“On a difficult day like this, there was one ray of sunshine thanks to the guys in the Ferrari Driver Academy who are racing in Formula 2, with Mick Schumacher taking his first win of the season.

“It’s great to see that, at the moment, the top three in the series, leader Robert Shwartzman, Callum Ilott and Mick himself, are all products of our academy,” he added.

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