Leclerc: Ferrari response 'coming very soon' with upgrades

Charles Leclerc explains that important upgrades will arrive to the Ferrari SF-24, which will define the Scuderia’s season.

Until yesterday, Ferrari was the only team outside of Red Bull to claim victory since 2023. However, Lando Norris and McLaren changed this at the Miami GP -claiming a statement victory in the MCL38. The British outfit’s upgrades were heavily anticipated before last weekend, and they didn’t fall short. Next time out in Imola, Charles Leclerc confirms it will be Ferrari’s turn.

Several important lessons can be drawn from last weekend’s action. Perhaps the most important, is that Red Bull are fallible. For the second time this season, Max Verstappen and his RB20 were vulnerable to immediate rivals.

Even before a well-timed Safety Car, Norris was showing brilliant pace in the MCL38. So was teammate Oscar Piastri, who only enjoyed 50% of the team’s upgrades this weekend. More updates will arrive from Woking across the season, who will work to consolidate their first 2024 package.

Meanwhile, Ferrari will be eager to strike back. The Italian outfit was also competitive and could have taken the victory themselves in Miami – had they kept Carlos Sainz out on track for longer.

Leclerc eager to see Ferrari upgrades

Still, their overall performance is encouraging – especially after a tricky event in Shanghai. Charles Leclerc is aware that, despite missing out on victory in Miami, there will be an opportunity to respond on home soil:

“As I’ve said many times, I think the season will be up to upgrades. We have ours coming very soon and that will define a little bit the rest of the season for us.

“So we’ve got to work hard and hopefully those upgrades will be as good as theirs and will help us to do a significant step forward.”

Increasingly, the outcomes in F1 are being defined by fine margins. Of course, there are still days when Max Verstappen and Red Bull are beyond reach. However, this is now the second time that Ferrari and McLaren gave the reigning Champions some difficulty.

Upgrades from Maranello and Woking will only improve their chances for victory. The upcoming event in Imola, moreover, is a circuit that could present the Austrian team with some difficulties.

For much of the last few weeks, transfer speculation surrounding the likes of Carlos Sainz has captured F1 news. Whilst this is set to continue, the on-track battle is becoming increasingly intriguing – for fans and teams alike.