Ferrari "needs to be realistic" about Hungary F1 win chance
Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have played down their chances of fighting for victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, despite the circuit layout suiting their Formula 1 car.
Off the back of a recent run of encouraging races, including Leclerc finishing runner-up at the British GP, the Italian squad is upbeat about the progress it is making with its SF21.
And heading to this weekend’s race at Budapest, the team is well aware of how strong it was at F1’s last high downforce race at Monaco – where Leclerc took pole and Sainz finished second.
But despite there being many reasons for the team to believe it can fight at the front again, both its drivers are more cautious about their prospects.
Asked by Motorsport.com if Ferrari was approaching Hungary feeling it had a shot at the win, Leclerc said: “I mean it's good to be an optimist, and I think we all want to be an optimist after such a good performance in the last three races to be honest.
“But, on the other hand, we also we need to be realistic. We are in a good mood, but I feel like going for the win in Budapest might be a bit optimistic. So realistically I think I will be happy if we are just behind the two top teams.”
Sainz thinks that the current characteristics of F1 cars, with their super high levels of downforce, has actually changed the challenge of the Hungaroring circuit – moving it away from the type of circuit where the Ferrari could really excel.
“Budapest recently has become actually a medium to high speed track with these cars,” he said.
“If you look at Monaco and Baku there are second or third gear corners, but Budapest nowadays, with these crazy high downforce cars, you have a middle sector where you are fourth or fifth gear all the time. So it's not a pure low speed track like it used to be in the past.
“I don't think it's going to be such a good track for us. I do think that it's a great opportunity to be right behind Red Bull and Mercedes, but downforce is still king and we see from data that these guys are still ahead.
“As we saw [at the British GP], on the hard tyre, Lewis [Hamilton] had a bit more pace than us and they should be ahead in Hungary.
Related video
Haas planning to solve Schumacher's crooked F1 seat for Hungary
Mercedes braced for ‘bruised’ Red Bull to fight back in Hungary
Ferrari must not “bullshit itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Ferrari must not “bullshit itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur Ferrari must not “bullshit itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Hamilton: Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Hamilton: Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen Hamilton: Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Ferrari didn’t expect to fight Toyota for WEC Sebring win
Ferrari didn’t expect to fight Toyota for WEC Sebring win Ferrari didn’t expect to fight Toyota for WEC Sebring win
Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours
Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours Leclerc not spending energy on "unfounded" Ferrari F1 rumours
How a confident Ferrari launch has changed the perception of its 2023 F1 chances
How a confident Ferrari launch has changed the perception of its 2023 F1 chances How a confident Ferrari launch has changed the perception of its 2023 F1 chances
Ferrari must not “bullshit itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Ferrari must not “bullshit itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur Ferrari must not “bullshit itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Hamilton: Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Hamilton: Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen Hamilton: Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi GP controversy
FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi GP controversy FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi GP controversy
Super Formula drivers doubt new car will make following easier
Super Formula drivers doubt new car will make following easier Super Formula drivers doubt new car will make following easier
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
CFD: How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance
CFD: How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance CFD: How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance
How Ecclestone’s new F1 documentary defies expectations
How Ecclestone’s new F1 documentary defies expectations How Ecclestone’s new F1 documentary defies expectations
How did the 2023 F1 rookies fare in Bahrain?
How did the 2023 F1 rookies fare in Bahrain? How did the 2023 F1 rookies fare in Bahrain?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.