Ferrari’s strategy department was at its worst once again at the 2023 Canadian GP qualifying. Yet another blunder made by them led to Charles Leclerc missing out on Q3 for the second race in a row. Fans of the Monegasque are extremely unhappy with how things unfolded in Montreal, and according to Sky Germany, Leclerc’s contract negotiations with Ferrari have also stalled because of what happened at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Qualifying wasn’t easy for any team on Saturday, with rain playing a major role in the unpredictability. As a result, the strategy teams had to be on their toes. In Q2, the rain stopped for a significant period of time, allowing drivers to put in lap times on the soft-compound tires. Ferrari, however, didn’t seem to believe that there was enough time.
Despite Leclerc pleading for soft-compound tires to be fitted in his car, the Maranello-based outfit asked him to put in another lap using the intermediate tires. Unfortunately, rain began falling once again. Leclerc, who was struggling for grip out on the track, couldn’t improve on his time. Leclerc qualified in P11 for the 2023 Canadian GP.
Charles Leclerc considering Ferrari exit after Montreal horror show
In the last two seasons, Leclerc has suffered at the hands of Ferrari strategists on umpteenth occasions. According to Peter Hardenacke, of Sky Germany, what happened in Canada on Saturday could prove to be the last straw. With his contract up at the end of the 2024 season, renewal talks were underway. For the driver hailing from Monaco, however, this decision doesn’t look easy anymore.
Tami posted Sky Germany’s claim regarding Leclerc’s future on Twitter after the qualifying session on Sunday. “They said that from what they initially heard, Charles and Ferrari are close to an agreement contract extension. But looking at qualifying today, they aren‘t so sure anymore,” she wrote.
On Sky Germany [@Sky_PeterH], they said that from what they initially heard, Charles and Ferrari are close to an agreement [contract extension]. But looking at qualifying today, they aren‘t so sure anymore.
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) June 17, 2023
However, Tami also clarified that the journalist’s claims were not based on any inside information. It was just their own opinion, as what happened in Montreal to add to Leclerc’s misfortunes, was completely avoidable.
Gloomy weekend ahead for Ferrari once again?
The 2023 season for Ferrari can be summed up in one word as disastrous, up until now. They have just one podium finish so far, which Leclerc earned in Azerbaijan. Other than that, they have failed to match the pace of Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes on most occasions. In addition to their poor mistakes, the strategy errors don’t seem to stop piling up.
Talking about this weekend’s race in Montreal, it is most likely that the Tifosi is set for another gloomy weekend. Carlos Sainz qualified in P8, but a three-place grid penalty for impending will see him drop to P11.
Charles 🗣: “I will give everything in the race to make up as many positions as possible and bring home a solid result for us.”@Charles_Leclerc and @CarlosSainz55 words after a difficult #CanadianGP quali session
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 18, 2023
This means that Leclerc will start from 10th, but it won’t do him a lot of good. Unless both drivers find the pace in their SF-23s to charge their way up the field, Ferrari will once again leave a race weekend with a meagre points haul.
