Charles Leclerc Issues Dire Warning for Ferrari Ahead of Imola's Unpredictable Winds

Charles Leclerc has put Ferrari fans on high alert, urging the team to prepare for rapidly changing wind conditions if they hope to dominate the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. With Ferrari rolling out its eagerly awaited upgrade package at its home circuit, expectations are sky-high, especially after a stellar performance in both practice sessions. Leclerc clinched the top spot, showcasing the impressive advancements of the Italian team’s latest upgrades.

Reflecting on the day's progress, Leclerc noted, “For now, everything went quite smoothly. The feeling with the car is good, and the upgrades on the car are working as expected, which also is a good step.” It’s not just the performance that’s thrilling the Monegasque driver; the electric atmosphere at Ferrari’s home track adds an unforgettable boost. “It’s always special for Ferrari being here, having so much support around the track means a lot to all of us.”

However, amid the celebratory mood, Leclerc sounded a note of caution. The forecast predicts a drastic change in wind direction, which could disrupt the finely tuned balance of the cars. “The wind will completely turn around, which will have a big effect on all the cars. There we have to be the best at anticipating those changes,” warned Leclerc.

It’s not just Ferrari that’s making waves; both Ferrari and McLaren appear to have an upper hand over Red Bull, at least for now. Max Verstappen, who typically dominates, expressed dissatisfaction with his RB20, opening a window of opportunity for other teams. However, Leclerc is tempering expectations. “We need to keep our feet on the ground because, as I’ve said, there are going to be big changes with the track conditions tomorrow,” he added, emphasizing the importance of qualifying. “Track position here is absolutely everything so qualifying will be super important and it will be important for us to do the job in qualifying,” Leclerc noted.

Imola’s tight layout makes overtaking a Herculean task, which only amplifies the stakes for the qualifying rounds. Leclerc urged his team to remain focused and address any minor issues before the all-important session. “There is still a lot of work to do. We’ll give it all in order to have a great qualifying tomorrow,” he concluded.