Transcript: “Where’s the rain?” – How Ferrari’s split strategy cost Leclerc · RaceFans

Charles Leclerc was left to count the cost of another questionable strategy call by his Ferrari team after missing the opportunity to set a lap time on slick tyres in the final phase of qualifying.

Conditions were dry as Q3 began at Interlagos but the teams’ weather radars were showing rain was imminent. Earlier in the session Ferrari had told Leclerc rain was going to arrive during Q1, but it didn’t materialise. Nonetheless as the start of Q3 approached they again believed the threat of rain was high.

Unsure exactly when it would hit, Ferrari decided to hedge their bets. “We split the strategies because we knew rain was imminent,” the team’s sporting director Laurent Mekies explained afterwards.

Leclerc was sent out on a set of intermediates, anticipating rain, while Carlos Sainz Jnr headed to the pit exit on soft, slick rubber. But every other team decided to send their cars out on slicks.

Ferrari had managed to get their cars close to the front of the queue, which proved important, as the rain was near. But Leclerc became concerned when he realised no other car was on the same tyres as his.

Leclerc’s radio messages from Q3

“I accepted the decision to go on intermediates,” said Leclerc after qualifying, “and then I just waited for the rain that never came.” As he sat waiting for the final stage of qualifying to begin he had one eye on the skies and the other on his mirrors, noting his rivals’ different tyre choices.

As he joined the track Leclerc was told to let Sainz, on slicks, pass him, which he did approaching Descida do Lago, turn four. As he continued around the lap he asked his team for updates on the conditions and whether he should pit at the end of the lap to switch to slicks.

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