Sainz: We know why the car didn’t have enough speed

Ferrari’s best result in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix was Carlos Sainz’s fourth fastest time. His teammate Charles Leclerc set the eighth fastest time. After the session, both Scuderia drivers said that the car did not have enough speed today.

Carlos Sainz (4th): “We expect results, especially after the third training session, where we saw that we did not have the speed we had in the first session. Then we realized that the weekend was going to be difficult.

In fact, we were able to make a good step forward in qualifying, but Lando Norris in third place was two-tenths of a second faster, which is too much for Suzuki – usually the gaps are minimal.

I was able to do some really good laps, so I’m happy with my performance. Ferrari still doesn’t have the fastest car on this track, and we know why. Our race pace is better this weekend, but I don’t know how well we will do in the race. I hope we can compete with McLaren tomorrow, but in qualifying that proved impossible.

It will be great if I can compete for the podium with Lando, Fernando Alonso and the Mercedes drivers in the race. The fight should be interesting. As for Red Bull, unfortunately they are in a different class at this circuit.”

Charles Leclerc (8th): “It was one of those sessions that take place once a season and where you don’t feel optimal. The balance of the car was normal, but can be improved in each qualifying session. When I finished the lap I thought I had done well, but it turned out I lost half a second.

When this happens, the first thing to look at is the tires and how to bring them into operating range. We tried a lot today, but it didn’t work. I don’t have an answer at the moment, but one of the positives is that we have good race pace. In Suzuka the starting position is very important, but today we didn’t do such a good job.

We have a high race pace. I hope I will have opportunities to overtake, but on this track it is difficult. In any case, I will do my best.”