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Charles Leclerc’s 1 Quality May Trump Resurrected F1 Giants as Ferrari Tipped To Be Favorites Behind Max Verstappen

Published 07/18/2023, 8:30 AM EDT

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via Reuters

After a remarkable performance in the Austrian Grand Prix, Ferrari has become the talk of the town, raising expectations of Tifosi worldwide. The team’s strong midfield dominance, coupled with a podium and impressive speed, has caught the attention of F1 experts, who believe that Ferrari might just have what it takes to challenge the top contenders. As the Hungarian Grand Prix approaches, the excitement is palpable, with predictions pointing towards a performance boost for the Scuderia this weekend.

Ferrari’s performance, particularly that of Charles Leclerc, at the recent Austrian Grand Prix, has ignited hopes for the Tifosi. It marked the first time in almost two months that a driver apart from Max Verstappen led a Formula 1 race, hinting at a potential shift in the dynamic of the current season. Despite the dominance of Red Bull and Mercedes, Ferrari is gradually closing in, showing signs of resurgence and promise.

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Leclerc’s second-place finish, despite not being able to maintain his initial lead over Verstappen, displayed Ferrari’s potential to challenge the frontrunners. Looking ahead to the Hungarian Grand Prix, F1 experts, and fans are eager to see Ferrari’s potential unfold. Tom Clarkson, a renowned expert in the sport, recently expressed his belief on the F1 Nation Podcast: “…So yes, it’s hard to see anyone beating Max. I think the best of the rest this weekend’s gonna be Ferrari. I’m going for Charles Leclerc. I think he is very good on this sort of track…”

Ferrari’s strong midfield dominance could lead to a promising outcome this weekend. Clarkson’s positive outlook has inspired hope among Tifosi, who eagerly anticipate a standout performance from their beloved team.

What happened with Ferrari in Austria that inspired hope for many?

Charles Leclerc missed out on pole position by just 0.048 seconds to Max Verstappen in the captivating Austrian Grand Prix qualifying. To advance their performance, Ferrari sped up the process of introducing upgrades that were initially planned for Hungary, introducing them instead in Austria. Leclerc and his partner, Carlos Sainz, seemed to benefit from these improvements, securing second and third positions in Friday’s qualifiers.

via Reuters

Leclerc, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with not securing the pole, reminiscing about his sole pole victory from Azerbaijan. Despite acknowledging that this was their best performance so far in the season, the second position left him unsatisfied. Sainz was also disappointed, primarily due to Ferrari’s conservative approach in Q2 after several drivers faced lap cancellations due to track limit violations. He was compelled to run again, causing a disturbance in his performance.

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With Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko predicting Ferrari as their biggest rival for the Austrian Grand Prix, the stage was set for an exciting battle between the teams. According to a June 27 article by Sports Illustrated, Marko acknowledged Ferrari’s superior speed and the Red Bull Ring’s favorable conditions for the Scuderia.

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This prediction adds further fuel to the anticipation surrounding Ferrari’s potential performance boost this weekend. As the Hungarian Grand Prix unfolds, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see if they can maintain their midfield dominance and translate it into a remarkable outcome.

 

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Written by:

Pulkit Jai

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Pulkit is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports. With a strong academic background in engineering, he possesses an in-depth understanding of the intricate mechanics and technology driving Formula 1 racing. This expertise allows him to offer insightful analysis, exploring the technical aspects of the sport and shedding light on the innovative advancements that shape the world of F1.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare