Leclerc tells Ferrari: 'Have quite a lot of work to do'

Like Red Bull Racing, Ferrari's final timesheets are nothing to write home about. Drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were in midfield during the first two practice sessions in Bahrain. Nevertheless, the drivers remain positive ahead of qualifying day.

Sainz explained that the wind at the track was difficult to work with. "Apart from that, I feel we have had a good Thursday, completing all our programme and tyre testing. Now it’s time to analyse the data and get ready for tomorrow’s quali. I look forward to it, it looks like it’s going to be tight!"

Leclerc knows immediately after the first day where the areas for improvement are for the SF-24. "First day done. Not much to say, as it’s very difficult to read our competitiveness for now but there were no big surprises. It was good to be back in the car alongside all the other drivers to kick off the season. Now we have quite a lot of work to do, especially in terms of balance. Let's see where we stand tomorrow."

The season, which got underway this weekend, is Sainz's last season at Ferrari. From 2025, Lewis Hamilton will drive at the Italian Scuderia alongside Leclerc. Sainz still does not have a replacement employer, and the question is therefore where the Spaniard will get into the car next season. He is widely linked to Audi, but they will not enter Formula 1 until 2026.