Ferrari had a highly successful performance with both its drivers at the Australian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz secured a first and second place finish, marking the first time since 2004 that Ferrari achieved such a result in Australia. The team took advantage of the opportunity presented by Max Verstappen’s retirement and showcased their true speed throughout the weekend. Leclerc, a former five-time race winner, expressed his confidence in the Scuderia’s performance since the first free practice session on Friday.
Sainz, despite recovering from appendicitis surgery, delivered an impressive performance at the Australian Grand Prix. Despite a challenging qualifying session, the Spanish driver believed that Ferrari was on par with Red Bull at the Albert Park F1 circuit. Leclerc also shared this sentiment, stating that he was convinced of Ferrari’s advantage based on their earlier performance in free practice. Even Red Bull driver, [driver’s name], acknowledged that the Ferraris were too fast for anyone and would have won even without Verstappen’s retirement.
Both Leclerc and Sainz acknowledged Ferrari’s strong pace in Australia. Sainz, in particular, was thrilled with his victory at the Australian Grand Prix. Starting on the front row, he immediately took the offensive and overtook Verstappen on the second lap, ultimately controlling the race. This highlighted the Scuderia’s low tire degradation and the impressive speed of the SF-24, allowing Sainz to execute a flawless race.
Despite their success, Ferrari recognizes the need for further improvements in their car before the next race in Japan. They acknowledge that Red Bull still holds an advantage on more traditional tracks. However, both Leclerc and Sainz are impressed with the overall characteristics of the car and are determined to secure more wins throughout the year.