Suzuka Qualifications: Ferrari Reflects on Performance, “More We Couldn’t Do, We Hope to Improve in the Race”
Suzuka, Japan – The stage is set for the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, with Ferrari reflecting on a challenging qualifying session ahead of tomorrow’s race. While the Scuderia team’s performance in qualifying wasn’t as strong as they had hoped, they remain optimistic about improving during the race itself.
Ferrari’s drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, both showed promise during the sessions, but the team admitted that they were unable to extract the maximum potential from their cars under the challenging conditions of the Suzuka track.
Leclerc and Sainz Reflect on a Tough Qualifying Session
Charles Leclerc, who qualified in a mid-pack position, expressed his disappointment but acknowledged the difficulty of the session. “It was a tough one for us. We knew coming into Suzuka that it would be challenging, but we hoped for more. We didn’t manage to unlock the full potential of the car. I think we were just a little bit off the pace compared to the front runners,” Leclerc said after qualifying.
Carlos Sainz, who faced similar struggles in the qualifying session, echoed his teammate’s sentiments. “We gave it our all, but in terms of pace, we couldn’t quite challenge for a higher grid position,” he stated. “There’s not much more we could have done with the car in qualifying. But the race is a different story, and we will keep working to improve during the weekend.”
Ferrari’s Strategic Focus for the Race
Despite a less-than-ideal starting position, Ferrari’s team principal and engineers remain optimistic that the race pace can be significantly better. The team pointed out that while qualifying is crucial, it is the long-run race pace where Ferrari has traditionally performed better this season.
Ferrari’s technical director, Enrico Cardile, spoke about the team’s strategy for the race. “Our car is definitely more comfortable in race conditions. We have seen that in previous races where we were able to make progress after the start. We are focused on improving tire management and making the most of any opportunities that arise,” Cardile explained.
The team’s race strategy will likely involve aggressive tire management and exploiting the strengths of their car in longer stints. Ferrari has also hinted at potential adjustments to their setup overnight to ensure that they can extract better performance in race conditions.
Suzuka’s Unique Challenge for Teams
The Suzuka Circuit, known for its high-speed corners and technical layout, is a particularly tough track for teams to optimize performance. The circuit’s mix of fast and slow corners, combined with the Japanese weather’s unpredictability, makes it an especially tricky race weekend for teams.
Ferrari’s struggles in qualifying are not entirely surprising given the complexity of Suzuka. The team has faced challenges in previous seasons with achieving the right balance between downforce and straight-line speed, which is crucial at Suzuka’s flowing corners. Nevertheless, Ferrari is known for its resilience and ability to improve during race weekends, which gives them confidence as they look toward Sunday’s race.
Looking Ahead to the Race
As the race approaches, Ferrari is hopeful that their strategy and car setup will allow them to make gains on race day. Both Leclerc and Sainz are eager to take advantage of any opportunities that come their way during the race. With a field of strong competitors, including Red Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin, Ferrari will need to maximize every aspect of their car’s performance to move up the grid.
“We know we are not in the best position for the race start, but we have a solid race car, and we are focused on extracting the most from the race itself,” Leclerc said. “We’re not giving up, and we’ll push as hard as we can.”
Ferrari’s fans will be hoping for a strong performance in tomorrow’s race, where strategy, tire management, and on-track battles will play a critical role in determining their success.
As the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix approaches, Ferrari’s focus remains clear: while they may not have achieved their desired qualifying results, they are determined to turn things around and put themselves in a competitive position to score valuable points in the race.
