(Motorsport) Ferrari have managed to get a short-term fix to their hydraulics issue which plagued Carlos Sainz at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ahead of the team’s visit to Canada. Both the Ferrari’s were forced to retire in Baku with Leclerc’s F1-75 suffering a second power unit failure in three races. The result means that the Italian manufacturer are now 80 points behind Red Bull in the Constructors Standings after eight races with Leclerc dropping down to third, 34 points behind leader and reigning champion Max Verstappen.
In a statement released by Ferrari on Twitter, they said “A challenging weekend for the team, but one that we'll look to learn and build from. Charles' engine arrives at the factory tomorrow, an initial assessment should be completed by the evening. Hydraulic components from Carlos' car have already been examined. A short-term fix is in place for Canada, while work is on-going on mid/long-term solutions. We continue to be fully motivated. Our ambitions are still high, our aim hasn't changed. These moments shape us, as individuals and as a group."
Such is Ferrari’s history that Sunday’s race in Canada is named after late Ferrari great Gilles Villeneuve. The season began on a high for the most successful team in Formula 1 history but a combination of poor team strategy, Carlos Sainz’s inability to be a reliable second driver and reliability concerns have now placed the team firmly out of the title race. For Leclerc, the Monegasque has proved he has the calibre of becoming a potential World Champion, but has been let down by his team. His Baku DNF was his second retirement from a leading position in three races and he has urged his team to make no more mistakes for the remainder of the season.
Having conceded his second place to Sergio Perez, a disappointed Charles Leclerc said “It hurts. We really need to look into that for it not to happen again. I can't really find the right words to describe this. It's very, very disappointing. I don't know, we really need to look into it." As for Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard has had a very disappointing start to the season but is optimistic that there are “better days to come”.
In an interview, Sainz said “That's the main objective and the team knows this, that we need to improve on this side, but we have been pretty good on reliability on my side but we have just been a bit unlucky the whole season and it has been quite difficult to get any momentum going this season. I cannot do two consecutive races without anything happening and the DNF in lap 9, you need laps and I need laps and to complete races to keep understanding the car. It is a shame but we are a team and we are going to stay united and stay positive because I am sure better days will come."
Also read: Max Verstappen wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix after Ferrari disaster
