During the 2023 Charles Leclerc Singapore GP, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc experienced a challenging race, starting from seventh position after a disappointing qualifying session. The race revealed further struggles for Leclerc, culminating in a heated radio exchange with his race engineer late in the event, highlighting the tensions within Scuderia Ferrari throughout the weekend.
Intense Radio Communications Amid Brake Concerns
As the race neared its conclusion, Leclerc’s race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, repeatedly instructed him over the radio to implement lifting and coasting (LICO) techniques to manage rear brake temperatures and prevent failures similar to that experienced by Lewis Hamilton. Bozzi warned,
“So rear disc imbalance has increased again. Try to cool down rear disc. 11 laps to go. Lawson in front,” Bryan Bozzi, race engineer
“We need to keep doing the LICO (lifting and coasting), please,” Bryan Bozzi, race engineer
Leclerc’s response was sharp and frustrated, as he expressed his dissatisfaction with the repeated warnings, stating,
“Don’t even complain. For f**k’s sake, we are doing 200 metres of LICO all the time.” Charles Leclerc, driver
Race Progress and Strategic Battles Between Teammates
At the start, Leclerc made a strong launch, overtaking both his teammate and Kimi Antonelli to move into the top five positions. However, Antonelli soon applied pressure after the first pit stops, closely tailing Leclerc for several laps before successfully overtaking him, dropping Leclerc to sixth place.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who started sixth, opted for a two-stop strategy and closed in on Leclerc with fresher tires. Ferrari strategically instructed Leclerc to allow Hamilton past so that the seven-time world champion could challenge Antonelli.
Hamilton’s pursuit ended abruptly when he suffered a significant brake failure, losing control and running wide in a corner. This mishap allowed Leclerc to reclaim sixth place by overtaking Hamilton once more, finishing there as the race concluded.
Charles Leclerc’s Tough Qualifying Explains Ferrari’s Struggles
Despite Lewis Hamilton topping the Q1 qualifying session, neither Ferrari driver managed to secure a spot in the top five, raising concerns about the team’s pace. After the race, Leclerc explained his qualifying difficulties candidly, saying,
“Yeah, for sure. [It was] not a good lap, but to be honest not a good lap because the car has been unbelievably difficult since the beginning of the weekend to drive and to put things together. To learn things from the car when things are just reacting differently from one corner to another is very tricky, and that’s what happened today. I’m very disappointed, but it’s the way it is.” Charles Leclerc, driver
Leclerc’s comment shed light on the challenging handling issues Ferrari faced, especially as the car’s behavior varied unpredictably across different corners, complicating the drivers’ efforts to find a consistent rhythm.
Lewis Hamilton’s Brake Failure and Potential Penalties
Lewis Hamilton’s race ended on a difficult note due to his brake failure, which caused him to lose 45 seconds to Fernando Alonso in the closing stages and finish just 0.4 seconds ahead of the Spaniard. The British driver was also noted for track limits infringements during his late-race struggles. Should the stewards find Hamilton at fault for exceeding track limits, a five-second time penalty is anticipated, which could alter the final classification.
Implications for Ferrari and Upcoming Challenges
The events at the Singapore GP underline Ferrari’s ongoing technical and strategic hurdles, especially in terms of car reliability and qualifying performance. Leclerc’s visible frustration during the race signals pressure within the team as they attempt to improve consistency. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s brake issues highlight the fine margins that continue to influence race outcomes.
As the Formula 1 season progresses, Ferrari’s ability to resolve the handling difficulties Leclerc described will be critical for maintaining championship hopes. The interplay between driver performance, team strategy, and technical reliability remains crucial for both constructors and drivers aiming for success in the tightly contested season ahead.
