Charles Leclerc

Their lacklustre showing as they were beaten comprehensively by both Red Bulls, by Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and by both Mercedes, left them frustrated ...

That was the best we could do.” Leclerc started 12th on the grid after a 10-second penalty for taking a new electronic control unit. “So, overall, I think this should go more our way, but overall the pace is just not good enough.

Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi. Charles Leclerc's frustration at a poor start to 2023 was demonstrated in an angry ...

Before entering a frustrating Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Leclerc was forced to deny reports that he demanded a meeting at Maranello with Ferrari president John Elkann to discuss the worrying season-opening Bahrain GP. Earlier in the race, he was told: “Try to push from Safety Car Line One. [Charles Leclerc](https://www.crash.net/f1/racer/889402/charles-leclerc)’s frustration at a poor start to 2023 was demonstrated in an angry team radio exchange during the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc was left to rue another challenging Grand Prix weekend for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia, stating that the team have plenty of work to do if they ...

We just need to work to find some pace.” [the drivers’ standings](https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2023/drivers.html) after the first two races of the season with just six points to his name – having [retired from the Bahrain opener](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/video.2023-bahrain-grand-prix-leclerc-cries-no-power-as-hes-forced-out-of-the-race-from-p3.1759545228343020554.html) due to a power unit issue. I did a small mistake when I was within DRS, and then when I lost it, that was it. “I just stayed there. Honestly, I don’t think there was much more anyway in the car today. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Leclerc said: “Once I got within a second and a half to Carlos, it was very difficult to get closer than that.

Follow all the reaction to the Saudi Arabian GP as Ferrari woefully underperformed while Fernando Alonso slammed the FIA before his podium was reinstated on ...

[Fernando Alonso](https://indy-cms-prod.brightsites.co.uk/topic/fernando-alonso) took the final spot on the podium, but was given a 10-second time penalty post-race due to an infringement on how his Aston Martin served an earlier five-second penalty, with George Russell taking third instead. Red Bull have now won 12 of the last 13 races staged. But our goal isn’t just to beat Ferrari, it’s for the Championship - it has to be with Red Bull but they’re still a step ahead of everyone.” [Charles Leclerc](/topic/charles-leclerc) hit out at [Ferrari](/topic/ferrari) once more to underline his frustration [during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix](https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-live-results-starting-positions-today-b2303867.html). Everyone needs to work hard to try and close that gap, we didn’t make the right decisions over the winter. And the 25-year-old was especially upset with his race engineer Xavier Marcos Padros after communication over strategy broke down once more for the Scuderia. [Charles Leclerc](https://indy-cms-prod.brightsites.co.uk/topic/charles-leclerc) hit out at [Ferrari](https://indy-cms-prod.brightsites.co.uk/topic/ferrari) once more to underline his frustration [during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix](https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-live-results-starting-positions-today-b2303867.html). There was a lot of confusion, I thought Fernando had a penalty so didn’t want to be fighting with each other. The penalty for Fernando is pretty harsh, they’re the deserving podium finishers but I’ll take another trophy, won’t complain about that.” “Got to give credit to what Red Bull have done, the gap is bigger than Mercedes in 2014. [Kieran Jackson](/author/kieran-jackson) Comments [Charles Leclerc](/topic/charles-leclerc) hit out at [Ferrari](/topic/ferrari) once more to underline his frustration [during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix](https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-live-results-starting-positions-today-b2303867.html). [Fernando Alonso belatedly reinstated to the podium after an Aston Martin appeal](https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-fernando-alonso-podium-penalty-saudi-arabia-b2304039.html).

The Monegasque driver finished seventh at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with the Scuderia left well behind Red Bull.

But unfortunately, we need time to bring these developments and, until they come, this is what we have. And today, we were not okay. “And we thought we were quick, even after quali you know, with Charles’ lap that I think he did a brilliant lap and I struggled, we thought in race pace we were going to be okay.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has said that the team need to work hard to find performance and pace in their 2023 challenger SF-23.

We have work to do, and we know the car is not where we want it to be at the moment. We have work to do on our race pace and will push to come back stronger in Australia." Going into the race and looking at the sessions over the weekend, we were expecting a better race pace. Our first stint on the softs was pretty strong, and I could push, making up some positions. I did a small mistake when I was within DRS, and then when I lost it, then that was it. The thing is that once I got within a second and a half to Carlos, it was very difficult to get any closer than that – the pace difference wasn’t big enough.

Charles Leclerc has lost hopes for the 2023 title following the disappointing race at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Although as soon as he got within a second of Sainz he lost his DRS and from that moment onwards, there was nothing much but pain and disappointment for the [Ferrari](https://thesportsrush.com/tag/ferrari/) star. But after two opening races of the season, it seems as though the Scuderia will not be able to fight for the top position this season any time soon. Leclerc was exasperated and replied that he needs to be given that information before. Leclerc had pitted for hard tyres before the safety car and was of the impression that they weren’t fighting anybody. While the Ferrari driver could not finish better than P7, Verstappen went on to grab the podium with a P2 finish. The Monegasque had qualified P2 behind Red Bull’s Sergio Perez but was handed a 10-place grid penalty for taking new engine components.