In a thrilling conclusion to the Spanish Grand Prix on 1st June, Charles Leclerc secured a well-earned third place for Scuderia Ferrari HP, marking his second consecutive podium finish of the season. The Monegasque driver, who started seventh on the grid, executed a strategic race that culminated in a decisive overtake during the final laps.
Charles Leclerc’s ascent through the field was methodical, leveraging a tyre strategy that prioritised race pace over qualifying position. His decision to conserve a set of soft tyres paid dividends when a late Safety Car period, triggered by Kimi Antonelli’s retirement, bunched up the field.
At the restart, Leclerc capitalised on Max Verstappen’s struggle with hard tyres, overtaking the Red Bull driver to claim third place. The move involved minor contact, but stewards deemed it a racing incident, allowing Leclerc to retain his position.
Reflecting on the race, Leclerc acknowledged the role of strategy and circumstance in his podium finish. “Yesterday, I knew that I was sacrificing qualifying in order to have a better race on Sunday, but I didn’t expect to find myself standing on the podium, so I’m happy about that,” he said.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur praised the team’s performance, noting, “It’s always good to finish on the podium, and this result, following the one in Monaco, confirms we’re building momentum.” He highlighted the importance of tyre strategy and the team’s adaptability in dynamic race conditions.
The race concluded with a McLaren one-two finish, as Oscar Piastri led teammate Lando Norris to the chequered flag.
Leclerc’s third place contributed valuable points to Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship campaign, moving the team into second place behind McLaren. The next round of the championship will take place in Montreal, Canada, in a fortnight.
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Photo of Charles Leclerc, source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre