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Charles Leclerc’s Frustration at British Grand Prix Points to Power Steering Issues
Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, faced a challenging day at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix after a disappointing qualifying session. He finished in sixth place on the grid, which was a far cry from his usual performance. Leclerc expressed his frustration through a heated exchange over the team radio, highlighting a mistake that cost him valuable positions. However, after cooling down and speaking with the media, he hinted at a more complex issue affecting his performance.
Leclerc described the problem as “very specific,” emphasizing that it wasn’t related to balance or grip. Instead, he suggested there was an unusual issue with the SF-25, particularly in high-speed corners. These types of corners are prevalent at Silverstone, where the track features several demanding sections.
“I don’t want to go into the detail, but it’s just something very weird that we’ve got to fight into the car. Especially when they are high speed, it makes it even more difficult,” Leclerc said. He added that he hoped the issue could be resolved soon but refused to provide further details.
It is important to note that this problem only affected Leclerc during qualifying, where he needed to push the car to its limits. In race trim, the issue did not seem to hinder him as much. The limitation appears to be more pronounced at high-speed circuits like Silverstone, compared to stop-start tracks such as Montreal or Monaco, where he has previously competed for pole position.
Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc’s teammate, mentioned that he didn’t experience the same issue during this particular event. However, he acknowledged that he has faced similar challenges in the past. Team boss Fred Vasseur supported Leclerc’s stance, stating that he would not disclose any details about the problem. “He said also that he won’t disclose it. I have to stick to the team order, I won’t disclose it. It can be fixed, but it’s true that we are struggling with something.”
Understanding the Power Steering Problem
According to reports, the issue is linked to the power steering system. This system plays a crucial role in reducing the effort required to turn the steering wheel, especially during high-speed cornering where lateral forces are significant. Power steering made its debut in Formula 1 in the early 1990s and has since evolved to provide drivers with the most natural feedback possible.
In Ferrari’s case, the problem seems to arise when drivers push hard in fast sections, where the lateral Gs place a strain on the system. During these moments, the feel of the steering becomes critical. Even minor issues can affect a driver’s confidence and the smoothness of their inputs, ultimately impacting lap times.
While Leclerc was reluctant to provide information, his description of when the problem occurs aligns with the explanation provided by sources. This issue makes his life difficult precisely when he needs to push the car to its limits. It also explains why the limitation is more noticeable on certain tracks, such as Silverstone with its challenging Maggots-Becketts combination or the high-speed Suzuka circuit.
Historical Context and Driver Experiences
In previous years, the feeling conveyed by the power steering has been a problem for several drivers. Sebastian Vettel, for instance, complained about a lack of confidence with the Aston Martin in 2021 due to the power steering’s feedback. Similarly, Fernando Alonso has spent considerable time fine-tuning the power steering to suit his driving style.
Despite not providing details about the anomaly, Leclerc indicated that the problem is at least solvable in the short to mid-term. “We’ve got some upgrades coming which will cure some particular issues, which I think will help us in some places,” he said. “We’ll try to fix them. It’s a bit of a shame.”
As Ferrari continues to work on resolving the issue, the focus remains on improving the car’s performance in high-speed scenarios. The team’s ability to address these challenges will be crucial in determining their success in upcoming races.
