Charles Leclerc encountered a series of setbacks during the race at the Hungaroring, resulting in a seventh-place finish. He faced difficulties with the team’s radio communication, where one out of every four words was not understood by his engineer. Leclerc attributed this problem to ongoing radio issues that have persisted over the course of three or four races. Despite the frustration, Leclerc clarified that his high tone of voice was necessary to ensure he was heard. He emphasized the importance of conveying his intentions clearly, particularly regarding an early aggressive strategy. However, the slow pit stop further hindered his performance, placing him at a disadvantage.
A Difficult Afternoon
Leclerc described the race as both “difficult” and “frustrating.” However, he acknowledged that the final result did not accurately reflect the team’s actual performance. The slow pit stop and the five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane heavily influenced the outcome. Leclerc highlighted the challenge of receiving recognition when performing well but facing criticism when making errors. Despite these setbacks, Leclerc accepted that it is part of the game and emphasized the need for improvement, similar to McLaren’s recent progress.
Pace and Performance
The Monegasque driver expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s recent performance, especially considering the potential shown during the race. Leclerc felt that their pace deserved more recognition, emphasizing the difficulty of being unnoticed when performing well. He accepted that the team is currently on the back foot, as this has been the case for the past three weekends. Leclerc acknowledged the need for significant work to regain their competitive edge. Although he acknowledged the disappointing result, Leclerc believed that the team’s performance was better than it appeared. He highlighted the positive aspects of the race, particularly the first stint and the third stint, where the car felt satisfactory. However, he acknowledged that they still lagged behind Lando Norris, making further progress necessary.
Tire Degradation and Unknown Competition
Leclerc noted that the team did not experience significant tire degradation during the race, despite their aggressive approach. However, he refrained from making extensive comments on this matter since drivers can only perceive their own performance. He mentioned his observation of Lewis Hamilton’s tire management during the first stint, which he believed was commendable. Leclerc also highlighted his successful tire management during the third stint while contending with Oscar Piastri. However, he acknowledged that he was unaware of the strategies employed by the drivers ahead, necessitating further analysis.
In summary, Charles Leclerc expressed his frustration with the numerous challenges faced during the race at the Hungaroring. He discussed the issues with radio communication and the impact it had on strategy implementation. Leclerc emphasized the discrepancy between their actual performance and the final result, attributing it to a slow pit stop and a penalty for pitlane speeding. Despite the setbacks, he acknowledged the need for improvement and expressed a determination to regain their competitiveness. Leclerc also analyzed the team’s tire management and acknowledged their position behind Lando Norris.
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