Motorsports

What Leclerc fears about the fight with Mercedes in Abu Dhabi

Published

2 years ago

November 26, 2023

Jayden

What Leclerc fears about the fight with Mercedes in Abu Dhabi

Charles Leclerc explained that the Ferrari SF-23 was too slow on the soft rubber used on its first lap in the third quarter of the Abu Dhabi GP qualifying test and that he hopes this will not be a problem for today’s racing sets will (26/11, 3:00 p.m.).

The Monegasque Ferrari driver was 1.0 seconds slower than Max Verstappen and the Red Bull RB19 on soft rubber on his first lap in the third quarter of the Abu Dhabi GP qualifying test. But on his second attempt with the fresh set of the same tires he came within one and a half tenths of a second of the Dutchman and secured second place at the start of the 22nd Formula 1 GP this year – an achievement he described as “… ” called “Good Surprise”.

However, this drop in performance of the Ferrari SF-23 with the rubber used may not bode well for Ferrari’s performance as the tires wear over the laps throughout today’s race. And the 25-year-old hopes that the use of – mainly – medium and hard rubber in the GP won’t come to that.

“The Our car shows many extremes”explained the Monegasque. “With the used tire I was basically behind everyone. Then you put the fresh tires on and suddenly the car is great again and feels much better. We made an insane profit from used to virgin rubber, much more than anyone else.

I hope this isn’t a negative sign for the race, we have to do long laps but I’m sure we’ll do a good job.”, added Leclerc. And to elaborate, he added: “It’s very, very strange. In the third test everything felt good, but we were slow. It is difficult for the driver to locate where it is [το πρόβλημα]because you simply don’t have enough traction to go faster.

This confirmed to us throughout the year that we always had an extreme car. When we enter the right window [λειτουργίας του] everything is perfect. If we step outside this window, even just a little, the impact is enormous. And these three days are exactly what happens.

Still, I’m happy considering how hard we worked in the first and third tests [του Άμπου Ντάμπι], it’s a good surprise. I hope we will do well in the race. That’s the goal: win [τη Mercedes] in the constructors’ championship. And I hope that Carlos also has a good start and gets closer to us in the fight.”concluded Charles Leclerc.

For Mercedes, the consistency of the W14’s performance isn’t much better. George Russell, who will start today from 4th place, explained: “I also felt good in the car in the morning [του Σαββάτου] We looked pretty strong – and we thought maybe pole position was possible. But we went out Q1 and we just didn’t have the same traction as we used to.”

And Hamilton, who was eliminated in Q2 for the second time in a row (so will start 11th today), added that W14 takes place in Abu Dhabi “More volatile [σε απόδοση] than it ever was. Its power rises and falls from corner to corner, from the moment you brake to the moment you turn and the moment you reach the corner apex of the output. She’s too unbalanced and it’s hard to predict what she’ll do.said the disappointed Brit.

Source: sport 24

Jayden

Hi, my name is Jayden James. I am a writer at Sportish, and I mostly cover sports news. I have been writing since high school and have been published in various magazines and newspapers. I also write book reviews for a website. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and basketball.

Motorsports

Not Norris or Verstappen. F1 legend makes shocking prediction for 2026

Published

4 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Ruth

Not Norris or Verstappen. F1 legend makes shocking prediction for 2026

Legendary Formula 1 pilot Heinz-Harald Frentzen expressed an unexpected opinion about who will win the championship title in the 2026 season.

Frentzen raced in F1 from 1994 to 2003, competing for five different teams: Sauber, Williams, Jordan, Prost and Arous. But despite countless appearances, he was never at the right place and time to compete for the title.

In the fourth season, Frentzen became vice-champion of the Jordanian team, losing only to teammate Jacques Villeneuve after Michael Schumacher was disqualified in the final standings. This remains his best result in his career.

Just before the start of the 2026 season, as 11 teams prepared to subject their cars to new technical regulations, 58-year-old Frentzen published an unexpected prediction on social media.

Frentzen’s former Jordan teammate Damon Hill asked him at “X” who would win the title in 2026, and Frentzen replied:

“Fernando Alonso.”

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso is preparing to start his 23rd season in Formula 1, his fourth with Aston Martin. The team was actively preparing for the 2026 season by investing all the necessary resources in the car and inviting the best experts from Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and other teams. Among the main experts is the legendary engineer Adrian Newey.

Fernando Alonso

— Heinz Harald Frentzen (@frentzen_hh) January 11, 2026

Source: Sport UA

Ruth

Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.

Motorsports

F1 driver: “We do not have the necessary tools to be the best team”

Published

5 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Ruth

F1 driver: “We do not have the necessary tools to be the best team”

Aston Martin pilot Lance Stroll said that the team does not yet have enough cars to be the best team in Formula 1.

The Silverstone team recently hired legendary engineer Adrian Newey as team principal and plans to become a championship contender in the future.

Newey initially joined as technical managing partner, overseeing operations ahead of F1 regulation changes in 2026, but it was announced that he would replace Andy Cowell as team principal at the end of 2025.

It’s an unusual position for Newey, but the team hopes to move on from 2026. Newey and Enrico Cardile are just two of the big names drawn to top-flight Aston Martin.

The team includes two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and experienced Lance Stroll, who is starting his 10th season.

However, at the end of last year, Stroll remained cautious about the team’s future:

“That’s a big question for everyone. Nobody knows what each team will look like in Melbourne at the start of the season.”

Of course, we don’t have all the tools to be a top team and there is no point in hiding behind that, but time will tell how strong we are.

It is exciting for us to move forward with brand new people and structure, and new regulations. “As a team, we are looking forward to the season,” Stroll said.

Source: Sport UA

Ruth

Motorsports

The first F1 team has revealed its design for the 2026 season. Will the style change?

Published

5 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Ruth

The first F1 team has revealed its design for the 2026 season. Will the style change?

Racing Bulls introduced the new team jersey for the 2026 season.

The kit’s design includes hints of Ford blue, a nod to Red Bull’s partnership with the American automaker to develop a new power unit to be used by both teams.

The general concept and color scheme of the new uniform is very similar to last year’s solution. This suggests that we should not expect any serious changes in the color outlook this year. So is there any need for these? After all, Formula 1 called the Racing Bulls’ uniform the most beautiful in 2025 when it was first introduced.