Jacques Villeneuve: Ferrari has lost its momentum in the title race
After a double victory in the opening Grand Prix in Bahrain, Ferrari seems to have lost its form. And according to Jacques Villeneuve, the recent difficulties of the Scuderia are not good signs.
Charles Leclerc will remain the most dominant driver during this Monaco Grand Prix. Faster in free practice, a spectacular qualifying putting him in pole position, far ahead of the competition, a controlled start to the race, it only takes one pit stop and a risky strategy from Ferrari to put the Monégasque behind Perez, Sainz, and his championship rival Max Verstappen. He finishes 4th and is disappointed after a flawless weekend.
Outside of the chaos in Monaco, the troubles for the Scuderia already began in Australia, where a first mistake from Carlos Sainz forced him to retire, followed by another scare for Sainz in Imola, the same Grand Prix where Leclerc lost his place on the podium while chasing Perez in the final laps. Then, there was a mechanical issue in Barcelona for Leclerc, and now the failure in Monaco. According to Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, Ferrari has lost its momentum in this championship after a good start.
(English) [In Monaco] Leclerc was like in Barcelona, much better than the rest of the field. He was relaxed throughout the weekend and had full control. It was definitely expected here, because his car is fast in the slow corners, explains Villeneuve for the website Formule1.nl.
But during the race, I struggled to understand. Ferrari didn’t want to take any risks with Leclerc. Why not take risks? We’re in the city of gambling with the casinos and all… If you don’t gamble in Monaco and play it safe, it never pays off. Sainz and Perez made the right decision.
« It hurts for Leclerc because he was clearly the strongest of them all during two consecutive races. He made no mistakes, he drove well [in Barcelona] and then had mechanical problems, and here [in Monaco] his strategy didn’t work. He didn’t even make it to the podium and once again lost points to Max [Verstappen]. Ferrari has lost its momentum, they should be leading the championship, including the constructors’. »
After the Monaco Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc is second in the drivers’ standings, 9 points behind Max Verstappen, while Ferrari is second in the constructors’ championship, 36 points behind Red Bull.
