Another qualifying session, another disappointing performance from Ferrari. Substandard performance after substandard performance seems to be the regular story for the season. Both the drivers struggled, with Sebastian Vettel failing to get out of Q2, while teammate Charles Leclerc only fared marginally better, ready to start the race in P8.

With the car that the Scuderia have given their drivers for the season, it’s a miracle they even have two podiums to their name. Both courtesy of Leclerc. However, it doesn’t seem like the Monegasque will be adding another podium this Sunday at least.

Despite having a car that looked in much better shape than Vettel’s, it wasn’t good enough for Leclerc. Additionally, the track temperatures and tire compounds further seemed to (excuse the pun) compound their misery. Leclerc was heard complaining about his front tires on the team radio. He vented out his frustrations saying, “Cannot do anything! These f**king fronts doesn’t last a lap!”

What would perhaps hurt the Tifosi more, would be what his race engineer told him a few seconds later. The fact that his race engineer congratulated him for doing a “good job” shows the levels the Maranello-based outfit has fallen. For the most successful team in the history of F1, a P8 finish should be heart-wrenching. However, that is the sad reality of this season.

Can Charles Leclerc help Ferrari save face on Sunday’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix?

Let’s face it, with all the problems plaguing Vettel’s car, any redemption job will fall into the hands of Leclerc. He would have come into the weekend with high confidence, after all, he was on the podium only a week ago, on the very same track. However, as if testament to the unpredictability of the sport, Leclerc will know a podium this time around is more than a long shot.

It would need some Austrian Grand Prix kind of luck for Leclerc to make a podium finish. However, he has every chance to finish the race in the top 5. Less than half a second separated him from fourth-place finisher Max Verstappen. So Leclerc can definitely climb up the grid, undoubtedly he’ll need a bit of luck and some cooperation from his car. Just how far can Leclerc salvage his race and that of Ferrari? All will be revealed on Sunday.

Source: Twitter.com – @deadlinex